Written by: paul

Been reading again – been avoiding writing as well. Not inclined, perhaps because I knew I’d moan on when I’ve little really to moan at; not in myself.

Jack had a day off school yesterday – reached a low ebb, was sick (suspiciously) & was behind on his homework. He’s caught up – he’s still not completely better (his eyes are still itching) but he’s less down – which is so much better. He had a good old talking to the night before with Louise & that did him some good as he was better grounded yesterday. If we could devote more time to cajoling & encouraging him he would not hit these funks, but … it’s not possible – he takes advantage of us at times & procrastinates & skives over homework. It’s a shame, but there is a lot of it – but when he does it – when he sits down & concentrates it doesn’t take him long & he does it well… He’s bright but still – his reluctance at times is quite understandable.

Made the rabbit hutch up yesterday. She’s better after being in the cage in the porch for a while. We seem to have covered the cost of it OK, & it’s sizeable enough to give her enough space; she now has an upstairs & a downstairs – enough room for her to move around freely. As she’s grown so, the same could not be said for the old hutch. I’ll get some bits & bobs from the market stall woman today as well. Shame it’s set to be a bit cold again.

When I set out putting the hutch together Esme & Lilly were all agog – wanting to watch & wanting to join in. Unfortunately the help that 3 year olds is limited; mostly limited to not helping, because they’re more likely to cause problems that be of real assistance. Jack didn’t want to miss out though – so he soon had his shoes & coat on & was about. He helped distract Esme & Lilly a bit, but they were still a little too active. I had to warn Esme off when she started using the old broom to brush one of the half made sides. At that point they (Esme & Lilly) took the old broom & plastic (toy) lawnmower & dashed off to Lil’s house. Esme was dressed as a cat & Lil a fairy. It being World Book Day they had gone to school (& playgroup) dressed as ‘their favourite characters’ Jude had gone as Dr Who (suit, trainers & accoutrements) & Eve as a school witch (she wanted to go a Hermione Granger but we couldn’t get stuff approximate enough)

Jack was happy to help & was keen to use the electric screwdriver thing (which I was thankful for having) but it ran out of juice. I have an aching forearm a from ‘manual screwing’ the thing together (Jack didn’t help with that) when finished we had everyone around; Esme & Lilly & Eve & Amber, but not Jude & Louise – Louise was having to read Famous Five to Jude upstairs. Hey did come down briefly, encouraged by Jack & proclaimed it good & “Jolly big” before Louise had to return to narration duties.

Put down sawdust & paper & hay, then the rabbit. She seemed happy to explore & scratch about but was not keen on trying to get downstairs, although having checked here this morning she did pop downstairs, so that’s good.

Been reading a bit recently, rather than typing & I know I’ve not ‘posted’ owt for some time, therefore all is behind… I am slack, I am remiss – I’ve enjoyed reading.

Half term holidays last week & the kids were… themselves… noisy, boisterous & demanding & drove Louise a little nutty.. And she’s not been able to get out to even do some shopping (not that grocery shopping is what might be called ‘fun’, but it’s a change of pace). Still there have been better bits & all that, so I shouldn’t paint a monochrome picture.. They did manage to get all down to the park one day – that’ll be easier as the year progresses… it’s a little less hospitable in February.

At work… Well… We did get a visit from our new overlords last week… Delayed from 2 weeks past due to snow & … er… weather or whatever. No pronouncements yet, & little progress. As expected they’re not so impressed with our customer database that might require a little ‘normalisation’ here & there. Naturally I hate Sage & naturally I’ve been handed a wodge of stuff from ‘aged debt’ to see how valid it all actually is? On top of everything else I do this seems that my progress on this one may be …limited. I have advised this & been told that I should try to get the other lads to help.. which I’ve said would take better people management skills than I have… essentially I know the response – I’ve tested the water & as thought I’ve been told I’m a fool for ‘taking it on’ – therefore enrolling them of a ‘fools errand’ that I’ve been set seems an argument I can’t win.

Train on time shocker.

Not been typing much this week because… well the train was late, (it gets crowded) there was something to read, that sort of thing.

So that weekend past – what was that about? All very low key really – not much a doing as we didn’t have a game plan to be heading out for some reason or another, therefore, it was a ‘staying at home’ weekend.. There was no real snow to add to the general excitement, excepting that empty promise that fell Sunday afternoon & evening & all but vanished by Monday morning (poor Jack). Actually, all but Jack & I are fed up with snow. I’d quite happily see more & Jack actively wants more. Jude was never a bit fan to start with, Louise likes the idea of it to start with, but quickly gets fed up of its presence, Eve got bored of being wet & cold, but enjoys it really, & Esme, well – she’s be happy whatever it did, so long as there was opportunity for play.

Jack’s been getting up a little earlier in the mornings to catch the school bus rather than the service bus, He catches the service bus up to Walsden though, so that he has a chance of getting a seat on the school bus (it gets a bit full by the time it reaches Tod). Not sure of the change of heart – I think he’s wanting to be a little more social…

Um…

Oh, I guess our new overlords are coming into the office today (delayed from last week). I guess we might get a feel for things, but I’ve know this year meant change in some form… I’m not sure in what form, but ( know that my job is not safe, in that it is not going to exist as it is at present… It’s what they decide to do, & what I decide I can do. I know it’s impracticable to move down south – it would be too great a wrench, we wouldn’t be able to sell the house, we couldn’t move Jack from this school (I don’t think there’s anything in the state sector down their way that comes close) .. So, their stated desire to centralise their resources are at odds with the limitations of our lives. A year of change…. I really don’t see the point of worrying about such things though, a bunch of homilies come to mind, but I cannot dread change – it should at lest be interesting.

Been a tiring week – work wise I’m still floating backwards while paddling all I can – but then that is not an actual change; just the usual for me. There are the days when there’s less paper on my desk, but usually there’s more; I try to do too much. It gets me a bit down at times (like yesterday) but on the whole I remain ambivalent enough about it to not get to me; the work ethic thing in me is quite strong – who knew?

I didn’t take Jude back down to bed & try to assuage whatever worries he has last night because I couldn’t. I don’t remember when he started this now, but it seems to have been a nightly ritual for too long now. He did come up – he muttered something to me & lay down on the cushion by the bed, but I was incapable of rousing. Louise was woken & she decided to go to the toilet, so Jude followed her downstairs & got into bed Hm – I hope he’s OK… Sure to be – probably went to sleep a charm or something.

Jack got his mp3 payer yesterday – I managed to get another for him (because I’d grown rather attached to this Lplayer) – he now has a not so wee thing that has a pop-out speaker at the back – which I though was more appropriate for his needs. The other 2 have wee memory stick things – not by any rate as fancy as what Jack has, but they need something as a way of satiating them when they discover the one that Jack’s using, Eve almost rumbled it yesterday (Jack is not as discrete as he could be because he’s excited to have it, so I don’t blame him).

Esme seems chipper now – she had a sleep yesterday morning – didn’t go to playgroup & that sort of thing; rested as best Esme is able (active fidget). Listening to N.A.S.A track Money bemoaning money being the root of all evil – why does no one remember it’s the love of money that’s the root of evil, not the money in itself…. It’s an important distinction & singing it wrong in a catchy tune… ah well – I sound a fool – it’s a catchy tune & the phraseology doesn’t flow with the distinction. Meh.

I’ll have to give Jack this MP3 player soon anyway.. Hey ho – it’s been good while it lasted.

Yes anyway it’s been snowing – great fun. I dipped off early to ensure I could pick the kids up from school – Louise didn’t want to be taking Esme down to school (or facing some barrage of bemoaning from Jude) . Jack didn’t go to school yesterday; he’ set off good & early & was waiting up Walsden way when a 6th former & mother in car pulled up in a car to advise that the school was closed. He called Louise to report in, she called me checked the school website & Jack was already healing back. Perhaps the buses decided that it wasn’t possible or something. It’s a bit worse (the snow) over Halifax & Huddersfield way (over a couple of big hills).

Jack had a good day.

Jude & Eve had to go to school – the only way that Louise could get Jude to go was not in uniform… Which was OK, because the school ended up going to the park to do sledging. If you didn’t have a sledge you could use a black plastic bag. I think they had fun – Eve said she did… Jude was less committal – he has to keep up this pretence of not liking the snow. He doesn’t like the cold & wet that’s true, but he does concede that it’s pretty. When I met him at school he asked where Louise was – mentioned that Esme was not so well today .. [pause] “Ah, that’s why she wasn’t there at dinnertime” (dinner playtime when Louise would be taking Esme to playgroup for the afternoon) [pause…. pause…] I’m not feeling very well…” I grinned at him & admitted I expected as much. He gave me his sheet of homework & dashed off to ‘the cage’ to slide about & throw snowballs.

Went out & made a snowman when we all got home. Took a while as I need a lot of snow, me. I was a target for Jack & Ethan & Aden for a bit that was tiresome every so often, but I did retaliate every so often, which was tantamount to encouragement. Ethan amused me for a while after I managed to hit him… He didn’t like being caught by a snowball (I made him cry), so although he wanted to join in with Jack he didn’t want me retaliating, so he’d come up to me & throw a snowball about an inch & then in a deadpan voice say, “Oh dear” & bemoan his lack of ability. I did help him out later when the cold sensation of snow in his boot caused him distress (he thought it akin to pain – possibly a little Aspergers coming to the fore) only to have Aiden dump my snow stash on me head as I was helping Ethan put his boot back on. Not only did I get a bit down the back of my neck, but had to empty the boot out again. I didn’t ‘get’ Aiden back I could have & I made a half hearted attempt, but it would be unfair, really.

Got the snowman finished.

Another weekend that went quite well, really…

Saturday was an easy day – no ambitions to be out & about & no deadlines nor urgencies; so that was all right. I had to go out for the shopping & I took Jack with me. He still doesn’t know we have a new mp3 player for him, so I get to play with it for now. I’ll get that bit of Elgar on there for him by the time I hand it over, now. Might have to delete some of the more esoteric stuff off there – not sure what he’d make of Atom ^TM ….

One thing I didn’t do over the weekend was obsess about removing blue lines from those ‘eight’ comic panels that I scanned – need to scan the last page that I’ve drawn as well… Well, I didn’t stress over the weekend.

Esme slept in a little on Sunday morning – didn’t wake up until 08:20 – most unusual for her. Jude was awake at sevenish & Louise got up to see to him. I don’t think he will have twigged the time, he was on his usual complaints about not feeling so good & not being able to get back to sleep… This would usually be the time he gets up though… So anyway that left me to a lie in, lucky me.

I went out to get some extra bread & I only got crust before it was all gone. Louise reminds me that we’re getting to the point where 2 loaves are more appropriate… And it was Eve was good enough to share half a sandwich with Esme who was throwing a wobbler because there wasn’t enough for another sarnie for her… butterbroat. Jack had some German to learn. He’s doing OK on all that, still – although I do have a ‘back of the brain’ panic that he’s being neglectful of something which will come back to bite him on the bum… but as yet it’s not happened this term – so all good. He was up & setting off with me this morning… He’d been getting a later bus, but I think he wants to start being more sociable in the mornings again. He was also awake early because of the snow – it excites him (naturally).

Went to Hebden Bridge yesterday to see Inkheart. As an OK film – enjoyed it enough & was entertained, but couldn’t help feeling there was a little something missing… I get that a bit with films nowadays, it seems – there’s a some essential ingredient missing for me – some subtle tangent absent; shame. Met up with Louise’s mum, (it wasn’t a film I could take Esme in comfortably PG) Esme was being a right daddy’s girl & gave a little beal when we went into the cinema, but was apparently fine & dandy as soon as she settled into having 2 adults undivided attention.

Jude was a little better at settling. We’ve figured that giving a small dose of Piriton before bed seems to have a good effect. I suspect it’s a good portion of placebo, but all for the better. He still had a moan about not feeling so good & not being able to fall asleep, but still does so, & without so much fuss as the beginning of last week. He was woken in the night this time – Esme woke up feeling ill & Eve (sensibly) told her to go to the bathroom & then up to us – she did & I had to dash back down with her to let her be sick in the sink, poor thing. I wonder what that’s about? Hopefully it’ll just be a passing thing, not another bug.

Jude didn’t have his inhaler at school yesterday… Not that he actually needs it… He doesn’t have asthma bad at the moment or anything… Actually, when Louise took him to the asthma clinic the other day the nurse said that as he was seemingly a lot better at that point & the fact that he as on Piriton at the time indicated that it might not so much be asthma, but an allergy, so he’s had a note passed to the doctor, so that a referral be made for allergy tests,

Progress of sorts, perhaps?

So, Jude didn’t have his inhaler. He didn’t need it medically, but psychologically he seems to need crutches. He had got into the habit of having some ventolin at… some point & this was denied him. He became worried & a call was put into Louise who advised that at the moment he doesn’t seem to need it… And therefore Jude had a bad day. I can’t say what his day was like third hand & he’s not really forthcoming on this sort of level, so… All the same Louise got a remark of the likes of, “He’s had a difficult day” fro his teacher when picking him up at school. Louise’s mum was there so they went of to Seventy Two (cafe) & Jude got cheesy toast. & all was happy when I got home.

Not a bad evening.. Esme was vociferous & tired & getting them to bed was a bit of a task in the end (bed times seem to be especially difficult at the moment – someone disagrees all the time). Jude wanted his hair checking for head lice because .. well – the teacher asked then to do so, so presumable there some about… Jude has none, but was out of the bath by 7:15. Not bad.. But then Esme & Eve would not … I had to pick Esme up & plonk her in the bath red faced tear filled eyes calling me stupid, idiotic & declaring that she wasn’t listening (Jude’s 3 touchstone phrases of disagreement). And the some of the usual post bath procrastination & some reading & by the time Louise finished reading to Jude & I finished reading to Eve (these are synchronised as best possible) it was ten to nine. How did that happen? Jack finalised what he was dong for RE & was proof read by Louise & Esme had eventually slipped into slumber by then, but all the same – that was later than ever.

And then…

Jude starts whimpering & worrying – he has a tummy ache half a centimetre above his belly button. The pain in his upper right chest area (between ribs) has died down thankfully, but this new ‘disomfort’ is shaping up nicely as a big worry to present settling. So.. He’s definitely not going to go to sleep before Louise goes downstairs… Louise needs a rest, but reluctantly bids him good night after 5 minutes & later has to admonish Jack for not wring up what he’s finalised for RE (it’s supposed to be a rough to bring to class for something in lesson). But it would be better if it were legible, didn’t have Louise’s ‘marking’ on it…

Many mutterings & sighs later Jude finally drops off to sleep – sneak off out of the room at 9:30 (past). I’ve to still to draw an Uakia monkey for him for tomorrow (animal alphabet) & so on… I mess about a bit & am later to bed than I should be.

Jude arrives in our bedroom at 03:45 – which means he may have been awake a bit before this. I’m not as responsive as I could be (dragged reluctantly from sleep) & Louise tells Jude he needs to settle down & go back to bed, to which he responds with a sulky collapse to the floor & then curling into ‘grump position’. I pick him up & put him to bed & try to mutter something soothing & bland & stagger back to bed. Jude’s back later after I’ve fallen solidly enough & Esme seems to have wrapped herself around me (she’s a fidgety sleeper).

So Louise goes off to settle him, but stays down there on the futon. When I get up at 5:45 they’re both still awake.

Might be an interesting evening…

Not so bad…

Jack dipped on the homework at the weekend – had trouble applying himself & was looking for distraction (well, can you blame him). This week, thus far, he’s done well – producing a rather good sonnet last night (it’s a good logic & a good meter (I’ll try t get hold of a copy & type it up).

Jude is doing a lot better – he still loses his temper (we wouldn’t expect that to vanish at a thrice) but it’s less so & he recovers quicker. He’s worrying more… Last night as he was supposed to be going off to sleep he asked if something special happened when children die. I had to get him to repeat it a few times before I was sure that’s what he said & then I had to tease out he explanation for the question… He was curious that something specific happened to make apparently healthy people (children) die, rather than, say, old people who seem to die because they’re old. I had to explain that you don’t actually die of ‘old age’, but when you do get ol your body gets worn out & weaker and if you do get something like pneumonia,then that can kill you. Both Alice & Kathleen were actually killed by pneumonia, not ‘old age’ itself. That Esme had pneumonia & survived was because she is young & healthy, but it was still horrible & difficult.

Sobering.

I could do with a quicker start up time in Ubuntu… I think when CrunchBang (#!) get a mature eee distro I might move there.

Yar,yar,yar… (for the sense the above makes)

So – another weekend out & about… We had planed to go to see Inkhart at the cinemas this weekend, but it seems that this as not the last weekend of Jan – as Jan manages to place a foot into next weekend after all – so we had a rethink. Mentioned to Louise that there’s a Croc (shoe) shop in Manchester & Eve is in need of new school shoes (her last pair seemingly falling apart) so we needed to go somewhere. It was planned that Sat would be the shopping day, but we turned it to Sunday & invited Louise’s mum along as well.

Saturday was a playing day for the kids & they did rather excel at it – not together most of the time, but individually they did fine.

Sunday we were worried about panicked setting off – didn’t want to repeat the previous weekend (although I pointed out to Louise that we did set out 15 minutes earlier than we’d planned to do last week). We were supposed to meet Louise’s mum at the station, but it was not surprise that she turned up at the house – as I said, she’d be early & she wouldn’t want to wait up at the station for us if she were. Served as a reasonable ‘were just about to go’ reminder for the kids as well – bit of excitement as well.

Train was crowded – didn’t all get to sit together – so I’m sat with Esme with Eve & Louise’s mum on the seat behind and the boys a distance away up the train. Packed lunches passed down we set in for the journey, Esme delighted to have an audience in the seat behind as well as next to her (lot’s of bouncing around). Standing room only past Littleborough stopped Esme being able to wander anywhere & she couldn’t do her parade down to the toilet because the train was just too packed (she was not desperate, just loves the novelty).

Shopping went OK. It was useful that we had to split up just when we reached the first shops – Jude needed the loo. So I went back with Esme & Jude to get the Crocs while Louise took Eve off to shoe shops (proper) to get her shoes. This effectively stymied the critical mass off fussing that they reach when they al want something in a shop. Jude & Esme got Crocs & Eve got shoes & no one got upset. Jack got to read (as he’s not interested in getting shoes, nor does he need any). Esme’s Crocs are too big at the moment, but they last a good while these things. Jude wore his most of the day. They are decorated with Wall-E & are brighter than we would have normally bought, but sales is sales. Eve is also happy with her new choice of footwear.

That was the predominant reason for going, so that done we decamped to a cafe (even though they’d eaten on the way in this is expected). The had fun & were satiated (Jack couldn’t eat all the chocolate & orange cake we got (although he would have drunk another 2 cups of hot chocolate given the chance… he wasn’t – just a bottle of water). A nice thing about BHS Cafe is that it’s big – you can be lost with your unruly brood in a corner & not feel that you’re bothering anyone. Not that they were badly behaved or anything – they were just a little exuberant (they usually are – they’re a happy bunch on the whole).

They to Waterstones which has this nice area at the back of the shop where the kids can sit about. They had fortne cookies out (Chinese new year doncha know) but I’m not sure they laiked the taste of this. Jack found hs book, Jude accumulated a little pile of things, but then decided on the one ‘Go go gamig thing as he was paying for this out of his own vouchers rather than us payng for it for him (shrewd). Esme wanted books, & so did daddy, but the book he wanted (on the rebuilding of London after the Great Fire) was too expensive).

Thence tesco (sundries) & home. In early for the train so although it was packed we had plumb seats this time.

Not been typing too much this week…

Though it might do a little more what with that verbose chuntering on Monday, but, one thing & another. Jude was awake quite a bit in the night this week. His cough was playing him up & his imagination was running away with him. He caught some of the news from Israel’s invasion of Gaza where they reported that a whole family was wiped out (excepting one) & that seems to have resonated with a fear in him. You cannot deny that there’s a lot of bad in the world, but I’ve pointed out we’re privileged to live in a mostly peaceful country.

I also took him to the doctors for his relentless cough & his asthma is not so bad at the moment – it’s more the fact that 9s throat is irritated, so we were given some piriton & that seems to have calmed things down considerably for him. That said he’s still prone to a little unreasonable worry or so at the moment. He noticed that his new front (lower) teeth are not as smooth as his milk teeth. Adult teeth seem to have more ridges along the top. He does not like this; the shape of his teeth on his tongue annoys him. Yesterday he had a bit if a panic attack at school & Louise was called down to see him because he though that he had swallowed a chip off his tooth. I’m not sure if he’d mentioned this as the cause, but he had some ventolin & calmed down. …He’s a funny one because he is also very strong – quite independently minded, but … his self confidence has taken a knock of recent.

On the whole Jack is doing very well. He seems to have got to grips a lot better with the homework thing & is getting more done & doing it better. This takes out a lump of stress from the daily routine & is much appreciated,