Monthly Archives: May 2002

I got Jack home from school quite quickly yesterday. William was there (his friend who moved to Spain). Don’t know if he had been there for the day, but I think Jack was pleased he was there. It’s always so difficult to judge Jack’s mood as he leaves school with how his day went, as he’s onto the next angle already – how to get me to pick him up & carry him, or something like that. Anyway – I told him that I had already taken the stabalisers off his bike. That got him home in a good mood. He was off as soon as he got home. The street full of kids : Hamish & Amber, Jill’s Tara & Maraid. & Kristen – who had just had stabalisers taken off her bike by looks of things. Hamish got his bike out as well – he’s been off stabalisers for a good while, but his transition was a little shakey. I think because Jack has got so adept with the scooter he’s got good balance & he made the transition quite easily really. Pedaling along with ease after a while.

Have proper bags under my eyes again this morning. Up to late doing a spot of decorating with Louise.
Well – Jude does not have a cough in his chest – although he sounds wheezy, it’s all ‘in the head’. Eve does not have a heart murmur, but there is no diagnosis as yet as to why she seems to go a little blue-lipped occasionally. The Dr commented that she had dark rings on her eyes – which is something we hadn’t really noticed. She wants to give her a blood test, but being new to the practice (apparently) she wants to check with the health visitor & a pediatrician 1st (I think that’s what Louise said). She took Louise seriously, which was good – Louise did not feel that she was facing skepticism over what we were saying, perhaps because the Health Visitor had assured the Dr that we were not wastrels? We’ve also been given direction if Eve seems to do the same again. All in all a positive step forward.
Everyone was in the park when I got home – which was a bit weird. I didn’t know where anyone was, but I suspected, & went looking. When we got back Jack pestered & pestered to have the stabalisers taken off his bike. I wonder what put it in his head? I was not willing to start with as the brake is in an awful position for him to be able to effectively use it. Andy – our good neighbour adjusted it for us (so now I know how to). Now all I need is a spanner that fits that bolt. Jack woke before I left for work again this morning. The 1st thing he asked was whether I would take the stabalisers off today…

Joy – bank holidays! A little extra time at home.
We (Louise & I) made progress in the attic Sunday night. We both did some painting. I’m getting on quite well with the skirting boards & she did a little wall painting where the underside of the arch where the chimney flues meet. Can’t really continue on that wall now, as we have to wait for the plaster to dry out. On the plus side – it does – very gradually – seem to be drying out. We had some bad rain last week & there seems to be no darkening in tone of the plaster – so we rather hope that leaks have been sealed. As Louise has had a taste of painting now, I think that she’ll be more up for helping me on an evening. Having said that we did no work. I wanted to got to bed early as I was irritable at some points yesterday, which is a sure sign that I’m fraying my edges too much.
We went to Leeds on Sunday & bought some clothes for the kids & Louise got some wool & I got some comics (our ‘habits’ satiated). We then discovered that we did not have as much money in the bank as anticipated… bum… Wishing our ‘habits’ were still craving. I got a whole bunch of small press comics to remind myself how badly I am progressing with ZUM!. Very nice to see a comic shop bothering to stock them though. I also got James Kochalka’s ‘comic book diary #2. Delightful & trying not to read it too fast.

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Train home. Train strike day – so not the usual trains. But pleasantly surprised to have a table seat – woo! Typing in comfort.
Feeling relaxed, but then I have not been thrashing myself to get things done. Underlying guilt, but no underlying stress.
Still nothing on whether I can have a holiday at the end of the month – so that I can attend that comics convention – but at least I remembered to chase up about it today.
Voted yesterday. It’s a shame that the Tories aren’t withering away & dying, but then the that would be the only glimmer of joy in the cynical, but grimly determined view I have of all this. I feared Maggie Thatcher might die before these (or any) election as it might bring out sympathy vote – terrifying thought.
Eve seems to be losing the whinging streak she had a bit – which is quite a relief for such a loud lass, & we have avoided mentioning that we are not going to Elaine & Kyle’s tomorrow to Jack – so he might still think we are going. We cannot – due to the train strike.
Jude most certainly seem to be teething. He tries to stuff his fist into his mouth to chew it. 3 months seems a little early, but then Jack cut his 1st teeth at 4 months. It does seem to drive him to distraction sometimes & he has chomped on my finger with such vigor he’s managed to hurt me a couple if times. Oh – & he drools a lot – but then babies do that.

Not really feeling much of anything this morning. Minds a bit of a blank to be honest. Haven’t solved the ‘not enough sleep’ problem as didn’t even try to compensate for it. Jack slept well thru the night (until 4 anyway). This, considering all the children have the same cough as me (or do I have the same as them?). Louise has no cough – tender tum tho. While we’re on she subject of ailment… Louise has booked Eve in to see the Dr’s next Wednesday. As I was muttering last month (at least I think I was – I never read this too clearly) we do have some concerns on her general health – she seems to drink a great deal of fluids & is sometimes quite pallid. Her lips can sometimes go blue as well – which is a little alarming. When her lips do that, she is not usually showing any other indication of discomfort or anything… so… well, I dunno, but it’s best to bring these things up if we have concerns, however nebulous. Everyone Louise discusses it with says, “Oooh -she could be diabetic” which is not exactly comforting.
Been staring out of the window watching a couple of stations pass. I take it I have nothing more to say this morning.

Shagged this morning, but that really is nothing new. Cold a bit of a stuffed nose & cough, but again, that’s nothing really new. I have children, I travel on public transport – I’m likely to catch such things.
Scenes leaving school yesterday. I was picking up Jack & was a smidgeon late – in that he was out of the class as I came across the playground. He was happy to see me & ran forward to us (Eve was on my shoulders). He got his library book out to show me; a quite impressive edition of Wind in the Willows. The text is abridged & there are a lot of illustrations reminiscent of a 30’s/40’s illustrative style; very nice. Then he said that his leg was stiff. Then he wanted a pick up. Then I said no & then he started to cry & get mad at me. I had Eve on my shoulders; I was not going to pick him up. Battle of wills ensues; he crying & shouting at me & me resolutely refusing to pick him up. He stands on my feet, so that I can do the walking for him, but I need my hands free for that trick. We make progress though – a few yards. He gets more frustrated & upset. I’m accused of upsetting him because I, “You’re not doing what I tell you to do!”. Hmmm… I inch slowly out of the school & past the school gates. It all takes a long time. I have time. Eventually after a lot of hugging & querying he remembers that he is mad because I won’t carry him, so I concede to carry him as far as I can with one arm. We get as far as the level crossing down the road a bit, & he is OK to walk now, & cheers up a little.
We are both stubborn, but I don’t like being told what to do by adults – let alone my 4-year-old son. He does have the advantage of me loving him loads, though. He needs to learn the limits of possibility & not to act up that he has a gammy leg, when he patently doesn’t & I need to learn to concede a little easier.