A visit to Nana

There have been a number of births and sadly, deaths, in the last few week. It happens like that sometimes. It left me in reflective mood and I decided a long overdue visit to see my Dad was in order - just to make sure he was OK and to take the children to see him when he's still around. Mainly though I went to make sure he wasn't dead.

There's something deeply wrong, yet deeply funny about a bunch of geriatrics all sat in their wheelchairs 'listening' to Tinie Tempah's Top 50 UK Urban Anthems on Viva. Nevertheless, that is the sight'n'sound that greeted us when we went to see Dad in the nursing home.

Despite the wholly inappropriate soundtrack Jasmine and Felix were wonderful with their Nana. Jasmine played shops with him, and sold him a crappy toy snake for £50. If all his mental faculties were with him I am sure he would approve of her ruthless commercial acumen. But then again, if all his mental faculties were with him I'm sure he would have negotiated her down to 50p and not made any allowance for the fact she's only 4, so it all balances out in the end.

The fog is lifting

It's been a totally crappy few weeks. Bf and I seem to be permanently snapping at each other. I'm crying, lots. Whatever virus hospitalised Jambeans has passed onto the rest of us and we all have nasty, phlegmy, hacking coughs and runny noses and it's taking its toll physicially. I'm trying to juggle some freelance work. It's the kind of stuff I was doing about 7 years ago. It's dispiriting but it pays the bills (or some of them at least) and when I'm there it's balanced out by the great set of people I'm working with. But it's simply NOT what I want to be doing, and its getting me down the rest of the time. Felix and Jambeans have taken turns to vomit and cause havoc and wake up at stupid hours. My Dad, who's been in hospital for a month, was transferred to a nursing home and we got less than 24 hours notice. He didn't have so much as a pair of pants to keep him going and we haven't got a clue where the money's going to come from to ensure he has long-term care. It all adds to the stress. And of course, we're so so so so so soooo tired.

So we took time out yesterday, got a babysitter in and went to see Star Trek at the flicks. And it totally rocked. And this morning, I felt as if the fog was finally lifting.

A hive of inactivity

Dad called to say don't visit, he's not feeling well enough. So I have the whole day to myself. This is a rare and precious opportunity - I've only had about 3 days off in the past 9 months - so not a minute to be wasted.

First thing I did - went back to bed. Stayed there until hunger forced me out. Nothing in the fridge that I fancy so am sitting in front of my computer feeling hungry and guilty that I haven't done anything more meaningful yet.

Found the photo of boyfie, Leon and I dressed as nuns. Always good for a laugh.