Bah. Humbug.

Yes, I'm being Grinchy!

This Christmas was the best of times and the worst of times.

I must say, though, that the good outweighed the bad.

Even though a significant amount of late Christmas Eve was spent trying to convince Three's girlfriend to get out of the fucking bushes.  And then having to listen to things NO mother should have to hear.

Himself managed to fall ONTO the dog resulting in much squealing from the dog and even more chest beating gnashing of teeth and mea culpas from Himself.  Thank the heavens that Dr Teacher was a vet in a previous life.  Dog is fine.  Tender but fine.  Himself is another story.

Two managed to assist in getting Dr Teacher's new GF's daughter (get all that?) rather pissed today.  That wasn't too bad except Dr Teachers new GF (oh bugger it ... she's called Ms Totally Awesome aka MTA ... OK?!!) ... so MTA kept saying that her daughter (CC ... cool chick) had only had 3 glasses of champagne only we new the truth!

Two and GGF are about to be no longer.  So sad.

However One has been talking a lot about proposing to his girlfriend so that's a good sign.

night night .... it's all a bit too much for this little tabby cat!!

Sad day

After nearly 4 years together Two has decided he is unsure of what he wants from life and is breaking up with GGF.

We are all devastated.  Two included.

What a strange Christmas this will be.

And I seriously wonder how much more I can take this year.  Thank god it's nearly over.

Respite was NOT a howling success!

Dad hated it.  Absolutely loathed it.  And I can't blame him.  I was told not to bring anything other than his clothes as everything else would be provided.  I paid to have his clothes labelled so they could be laundered.  We were told he would have his favourite paper delivered each morning.  And I filled out a form with his likes and dislikes for food.

He went without a toothbrush until Dr Teacher took one in on Saturday (Dad went in on Tuesday).  This was in spite of me asking for one on Thursday.

Dad's clothes were taken away, much to his distress, and returned - unlabelled.

No newspaper - again despite numerous requests.

Dad said the food was awful - which is unusual for Dad.  Sunday breakfast was cold porridge, cold toast and lukewarm tea.  On Thursday he was given bacon and egg with no egg and no fork.

And the best bit?  On Thursday night I received a phone call informing me that Dad had had a fall and had sustained some skin tears and bruising but was otherwise OK and I was receiving this call as it is the facility's policy.  And he had refused his dinner.  I was most concerned about the latter as Dad never refuses food (he is too polite) but when I stressed my concern I was told that I had been contacted re the fall as that was their policy.  I rang Dr Teacher and asked him to go over and check (he's 15 minutes away, I'm an hour) and the facility rang back.  To tell me they had pulled the wrong file and Dad was fine.

Sorry.  good bye.

Mum enjoyed the break and says she has had time to work out some coping strategies.

We'll see.

*********************************************************

Angus.  12.5 weeks old.

Meltdown

Mum is at the end of her tether.  There are things happening with Dad that she just cannot cope with.

Yesterday I went up and asked her what she needed to make it better for her and she replied 'a break'.  So I rang the case manager and she managed to find a respite bed for Dad.

Yesterday afternoon I went and had a look at the place and today we took him across.

It's a lovely facility and I know the care Dad will receive will be of the highest standard.

But.

My Dad's in a nursing home and as I left him today I saw tears in his eyes for the second time in my life.

And I lost it.