Cup of tea anyone?

Orla takes after her mother, her grandmother and her great-grandmother and likes a good cup of tea.

She has a usual mug, but never seems to remember to drink from it.

In the meantime Martin has been collecting Pantone mugs...

They're lovely aren't they? (That's not all of them, some were in the dishwasher.)

So - he decided to get Orla one. Pink of course.



Look - here's her tea...



And look how tiny it is...




It's an espresso cup. Perfect for Orla!

Brittany 2011

We had an awesome holiday in France this year. Want to see some pictures? Of course you do....

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everybody.

I am shamelessly copying my friend Natalie over at The Yarn Yard and have decided to set myself some goals for 2011.

Careful wording here. I don't want them to be resolutions as I don't want to resolve for or against something - hee.

GOAL ONE
Lose some weight. I have been reaching the upper limit on some of my jeans and I really don't want to have to buy the next size up. It would be much better to fit into them properly and even get down to the size down pile of trousers I have been reluctant to get rid of. I want to start eating more healthily. I am particularly interested in the Paleo diet and intend to try and use that for many of my meals and DH's. I think we will both feel better if we are eating better.


GOAL TWO
Declutter the house and garage - we have an excess of belongings which we really don't need. The garage is heaving with boxes. Really no need for it.


GOAL THREE
Linked to Goal One is to exercise. I want to run, swim and cycle every week. I think I need to try and exercise at least three times a week. Maybe cycling the kids to school and taking off on the bike afterwards. Or taking Orla swimming some afternoons. Or running while the kids are at school. There is also a Zumba class on in the evenings at the school.

GOAL FOUR
Clear some of my stash by sewing, spinning and knitting. Buy only for specific projects - no impulse buys.

GOAL FIVE
Get a job - Orla goes to school in August and if we are to ever get a house again we need more income. So - it makes sense for me to return to work. I need to find something I can do that works with the kids. We have no family support up here and no really close friends locally so it has to be something that I can get childcare cover with - easier said than done! My kids aren't always the easiest.

GOAL SIX
Okay I was planning on five - but this one is one I have been thinking about for a while. I have started reading more and want to continue but expand the book choice into things I wouldn't normally choose. Not sure how to do this. I feel the need to read a couple of classic books that I feel I ought to have read.

That's it for now - what are you going to be doing in 2011?

Christmas Greetings

Okay - I am a bad blogger and also terrible at sending/writing Christmas Cards. I have a pile of half-written cards downstairs that I fear will not make it to the Post Office.

Meh - there's more to life.

So - today is the last day of school/nursery and the excitement levels in the house are very high. Fatigue has set in too with both Morgan and Orla looking really, really weary.

Ruaridh is in high spirits. It was his 7th birthday and he had some friends over for a very successful birthday party. There were party games including pass the parcel, musical statues, musical bumps and decorate the Christmas Tree! His cake contained every artificial colour you can think of and sugar to the max. All the kids had a wild time and a large glass of wine was earned by the end. He is thrilled with his presents - which ranged from a scientist white-coat and goggles to a ninja fighting hamster to lego to a calming cuddly dinosaur. All in all he had a great day and is on great form at the moment - so long as he (mostly) stays away from Morgan. They had a great time last night playing with the electronic kit Rua got for his birthday - I would really recommend it - it was pricey but it is his main present from us and is superb.

We have been living in West Lothian for a whole year now. In fact a year ago today we woke to so much snow that our removal van had no chance of making it to us. We had a minimal Christmas last year and actually had a lovely time. This year we are living in a slightly different house - round the corner from the other one. We love living here. It is 10 minutes from Martin's work. There is a huge local supermarket and a town with most things we need. Livingston, Edinburgh and Glasgow are all within easy reach. The school has (mostly) been a successful move. The boys seem settled in their classes and their transitions to the P2 and P5 went smoothly. I wouldn't say they are angels - and don't think they ever will be - but they mostly seem to be getting on well and are both clearly intelligent - just need to concentrate more.

Morgan continues to be interested in anything and everything and is often to be found readin non-fiction books learning in-depth facts about random things. Either that or he is playing vile games on a computer - sigh. He got his Aspergers diagnosis this year which we will be taking to the school in the New Year to discuss his key problem areas - fortunately there are only a few issues. He has take up Tae Kwon Do and was thrilled to earn a medal at a recent competition.



Ruaridh, apart from turning 7, is turning into a lovely, caring boy. He is still loopy as ever and can out-bounce Tigger. He is still on the melatonin and it has changed him so much. He gets a full night of sleep every night which is brilliant for him and us. Bedtimes with him are a breeze now. He loves his lego and building things. He also recently declared he wants to be an inventor - hence his birthday presents of a lab coat and inventing kit. We now call him Dr. Ruaridh.



Orla is going to be 5 in the spring and is a happy wee-thing. She is super-girly loving all things pink and shiny. She is now in pre-school nursery and loves it, especially since developing a special friendship with a boy ;-) She will start school next August and is more than ready. She is starting to read and write and I really don't see any problems with her at school. She is also doing Tae Kwon Do with Morgan and loves it.



Martin and I are much happier with our lot. We love living here. We moved here knowing next to nothing about West Lothian but have found it to be a great place to live. I have gradually found the best parks to go to and the best cafes ;-) I miss the sea though. I have made a couple of friends but it seems so much slower than Dunbar. I still keep in touch with a few friends from Dunbar-days though. Martin's work seems to be going really well although he is always busy and always looks tired. He is looking forward to a long rest at Christmas.

We are a bit stunned by the weather. We have had thick, thick snow since the end of November. The plummeting temperatures means that is not melting away. There is more apparently due today - please let it wait until after the (last) school run. This is what our road looked like at the peak of the snow:



And this is Morgan and me having a snow-fight. (The snow was too soft for snow balls so we just threw huge piles at each other)



I think that's us for now - my apologies if you were expecting a real card - I'm just not that organised.

Hope you all have a lovely Christmas and New Year.

Lucy
x

About bloody time too

I had an appointment this week with Morgan about getting him assessed for Aspergers. His first proper appointment since moving into West Lothian. So far - all he has seen is the school doctor and the GP.

I had no idea what to expect at this appointment and was surprised when I realised it was at a primary school and not at the hospital as usual. It turns out that the school in question is a specialist school providing care and support for autistic children and so the resources they have there are fantastic.

I met with two lovely women - one who was a speech and language specialist and one who was the Doctor. Morgan went off to talk to the language specialist while I went through a whole series of questions with the Doctor talking about how Morgan behaves and reacts and everything. I had a long list of behavioural things as bullet points in my organiser - so this took some time. We discussed not just his Aspergers traits but also his SPD (sensory processing disorder) and dyspraxia tendencies too. It was a really good appointment she seemed to actually listen and understand and was brilliant at explaining things I hadn't quite put together yet.

After we had exhausted all the points (and commented on the stupidity of previous Asperger (un)assessments) we swapped so I got to spend some time with the language specialist. She told me a little about what she and Morgan had been talking about and it was really interesting. She agrees that he is very intelligent and articulate but commented on his habit of swallowing mid-word. I think this is something to do with his oral-sensory issues.

Once the doctor had finished her assessment we all met up together again. Morgan was free to sit in with us or go and play in the soft-play area so he came in and out. They collated their notes and made some comments and then she said it. "He is Aspergers." Just nice and quiet. Did I hear right? "So - he is Aspergers?" (I needed some confirmation.) "Yes." My head went in a weird sort of blur at this point I had totally not expected him to be 'diagnosed' at the appointment. I think I was expecting to be told to come back for more tests in a couple of months. I think Morgan came back in soon after and she said to him something along the lines of: "Congratulations Morgan, you are a member of a special group of people - you have Aspergers." Wow!!

So - I have a son with Aspergers - it is official. And thhhhhhhhhhbbbbbbbbbbbb to that prime ass who said Morgan did not have Aspergers. He so does. He was wrong, wrong, wrong.

I am so relieved that we have finally got here. The next step is a report being sent to both me and the school after which we can meet up to discuss his care plan. At present I don't think there is a huge need for support for him but I want them to know all about it and be aware of triggers, issues that may arise and potential problem areas.

Does this change my son? Absolutely not. He is still Morgan and I still love him to bits. What I hope is that this will help other people to understand him as well as I do and allow him some self-understanding.

I am disgustingly proud of my son.

Washing Machine Blues

Seriously - I couldn't make it up.

The saga of the washing machine....

My beloved Dyson was in storage while we lived in a house that insisted on leaving us a ton of unnecessary furniture. When we got it back last month it was plumbed in, welcomed home and set to work on washing clothes and duvets and it did an admirable job. A week after washing the last duvet (there were many) it decided to no longer play ball. It has started up its old tricks again. A load of washing put in on Thursday was finally extracted on Monday and by then I had had enough.

So - I sought advice. John Lewis was the majority call - oh I wish I had listened. Instead I was swayed by Boots Appliances - as they were recommended to me, they were offering free installation, they could take away my old Dyson and there was the winning option of next day delivery. I could have a new washing machine the next day - all plumbed in!!!

So I selected all the correct options and off my order went.

Meanwhile it's bedlam here this week. Lots of sleepovers, child juggling and school holidays. Last night I got a call confirming the order and assuring me my new washing machine would be arriving between 7am and 11am. Martin and I disconnected the old machine, switched off the water and placed a strategic bucket.

I was up early just in case the delivery was early. Then once Martin was up I went to shower so I wouldn't run the risk of missing the delivery. And we waited. The kids just pottered, played on the wii, did stuff. They had been promised a swimming trip once the washing machine had arrived.

By 12:30 I was getting a bit annoyed so called to see what was going on. I was put on hold while they contacted the driver to see what was going. They couldn't get hold of him. They would call me back when they knew what was going on...

15:00 - still no call back so I called back again. Kids behaving brilliantly and being really good about missing out on swimming. Monopoly was played. I was put on hold while they called the driver again... Still can't get hold of him. At this point I pointed out I had been waiting for way too long and really needed to go out and get some food. So - with my mobile in hand I made a mad dash to Tesco just randomly chucking things into the trolley so I could get back - in case the washing machine arrived while I was out. I wish.

Still no sign of the washing machine. New activities started with the children. Two cooking, one being creative with his scrap book and one building a wooden tank.

17:05 - called back again - this time using assertive, cranky voice. Once again they said they would contact the driver when I reminded them that this had not happened the previous two times. So - after being on hold for a while again I finally got the answer. The driver had been in an accident, hence the problems in getting hold of him. BUT - my washing machine wasn't on the van!!!!! WTF??? Well I was fighting back anger at this point. Why the hell have I wasted a day waiting for a machine that wasn't even on the lorry that everyone has been trying to contact and why did no-one realise this sooner? Grrrr.. So now we get the whole conversation about when they *can* actually deliver it. How about Friday? Ermm - no. I have a mountain of washing, no school uniforms, no shirts for Martin and I can't guarantee I will be in ALL DAY Friday as I have school and nursery runs and errmmm - a life. I was afraid at this point of agreeing something that I would later regret or forget. Instead I asked for a note to be put on my file and I would call them back at some point in the evening (they're open until 10pm). After I hung up I called Martin and exploded at him. Once I hung up one of my lovely friends called and I told her the whole sorry saga and it started to sound quite amusing.

Fast forward a little bit - kids eating tea and the phone rings. One of the supervisers/managers from Boots Appliances called. I was offered an alternative machine as the one I had originally ordered now wasn't available until Friday (I still don't understand this - where is the machine *I* ordered?) So first off I was offered one with a smaller drum. No way. Then I was offered an identical one to the one I ordered but silver, not white. This will cost £40 more - they will pay £20 if I will pay the additional £20. For me to get a machine tomorrow? Yes please. All sorted.

Ten minutes later - another call. Sorry - that one will not be available until October. How my head did not explode at this point I do not know. Don't worry - I have looked into alternatives.... Would you like a Hotpoint? Seriously? Whatever at this point.... I just want a washing machine so I don't have to go to the launderette tomorrow. So - I now have a Hotpoint washing machine on order which should be arriving tomorrow. At some point this evening - before 10pm - I will get a call telling me the time slot in which to expect my machine. Tomorrow I will get a call from the driver confirming delivery.... I just hope that both these things happen as I have school/nursery runs tomorrow and I would still like to take some of the children swimming. Won't be able to take them all now though as school intervenes.

So - watch this blog - will I get my washing machine tomorrow? I dearly hope so as I desperately need to get the washing backlog sorted.


***UPDATE***

The next day - washing machine delivered. Dyson beast removed - with a huge rip on the lino (Martin's fault, not Boots') - so have to sort that out next - typical huh?

Well - new washing machine does what it says on the can - and is a Hotpoint, not a Samsung. But hey - it works - and I actually really like it. It has a good warranty with it too - bonus.

Did you all notice the comment from Boots Appliances on the blog? I have to say I am impressed with their efficiency in finding this blog within hours of it being published. I emailed my reference number and got a call from them within 10 minutes checking that the new one has arrived and all is well!! Thumbs up to Boots Appliances for customer service and it is a shame that an error yesterday caused all of this in the first place! They have, however, fixed the issue and so are in my good books again. Have to dash - have to get some more washing on.... just hope my tumble drier can cope with the volume of washing...

The Horn

You know when you are driving along the M8 between Edinburgh and Glasgow (or Glasgow and Edinburgh) and you see all those weird things. There are the sheep-covered pyramids at Bathgate, there's the weird Teletubbies horn just before Harthill, there's the hollow heads, the unicorn, the boat building...? Well 'The Horn' just happens to be at the corner of a really good Country Park ten minutes drive from us.



We had some friends over for the day and we all went up there as it was glorious weather and the seven (!) children needed to run for a bit. The play-park there is normally fantastic but it was all full of wasps. Not good. After the youngest child got stung on the mouth by one of the nasty wasps we decided to move away from the play-park and headed for off for a walk through the woods towards The Horn.

It's a fantastic walk and not actually that far so the boys could run off and choose sticks/branches for sword fighting/casting spells while the girls picked flowers and whinged about having too far to walk - it was one of those days. At the corner of the park you are faced with this:



It really is a great sight. Here's a bit of stuff about it:



There's lots more about it here.

Designed by Scottish artists Matthew Dalziel and Louise Scullion, it was originally commissioned to act as landmark between the two cities, stimulating drivers on a stretch of road that was notoriously bleak and featureless. From a rigid stepped concrete foundation, its silvery vertical form tapers for eighteen metres, before modulating into a swan-like neck which flares in turn into an oval trumpet. Pointing towards the motorway, periodically the Horn “speaks” to the cars that speed past below - one mechanism to another. The occupants, sealed inside their vehicles, may not be aware of this voice, others may have heard that it speaks, whilst others still may exit the motorway at junction 4, and walk to the base to clearly hear the Horn’s voice.

Quote taken from the Art in Partnership website as previously linked. For the record - I've visited it twice and the sound isn't working any more!

Pictures taken from Martin's Flickr set.