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.

He's growing!

Angus continues to delight us.  He is just about house trained.  Nipping is still a bit of a problem but he's learning.  "Sit" and "down" (as in drop) are pretty well mastered.  He is still soft and fluffy and sooo cuddly - so easy to waste  spend time with him.  He has met a couple of the neighbours' dogs.  Mozart, the 8 month old Newfoundland that lives next door, is massive and it was so funny to see them together. Harry, an older poodle x was not enamoured of puppy exuberance and Angus was firmly put in his place.  The cats are getting much better.  Sheba will hiss and, if necessary, give him a bop on the nose with claws sheathed but Tom growls and flattens his ears - not a good sign in a cat so we are still supervising their interactions.

I am so glad we have him.  Himself is besotted!  I knew he would be.  Three can't wait to be able to take him for proper walks but he needs all his jabs first and to be a bit better on the lead (the dog, not Three!).  We will be taking him to obedience school in the new year but in the meantime he is doing well at puppy pre school!

The parents are doing well.  They adore Angus.  He brings them so much pleasure and it's lovely to see Dad laugh at his antics.  I can see Dad slowly going downhill which is very depressing.  Still, he's 92 and if we can have him for Christmas and Mum's birthday in January we will be grateful.

Mental health is OK.  Good weeks and not so good weeks.  Supplements from the naturopath are helping, I think, but I can't stomach the herb mixture.  It tastes gross.  I tried for a week but gave in.  I am meant to take an incredible amount of pills and forget at least one dose a day.  We'll see what he says at my follow up visit on thursday.

Check the little video out on the entry for 29th November on this blog.  I showed Himself and "that was me farting" has already become a catchphrase!!  

A Poem

Tis the month before christmas
and all through the land
Mothers are wailing
and wringing their hands

The stockings from last year
cannot be found;
The tree lights are tightly
knotted and bound

Children of all ages are
writing their lists;
The older they get
the dearer the gifts!

How many people
did we invite this year?
THAT many  (oh shit)
What? Nothing, my dear.

Where is the sherry,
the medicinal grog?
What is that smell?
Oh hell, it's the dog.

Who left the pudding mix
out on the bench?
Please somebody else
find the source of the stench.

Take a deep breath, Self,
All is not lost
We will fill those stockings
Regardless of cost.

Food will be adequate
Wine will flow free
Gifts will be plentiful
under our Tree.

Money's not everything,
It's not worth getting stressed
When we're surrounded by loved ones
we truly are blessed.

SO ....

Tis the month before Christmas
and all through the land
Mothers are chilling
with a drink their hands.

Gifts will be purchased,
Food will be bought
All this will happen
Without too much thought.

So let's all be merry
Let's share in the fun.
And a safe Happy Christmas
To EVERYONE!!!

Meet Angus

He's an 8 week old german shepherd pup.  We picked him up on Sunday from a breeder on the other side (way on the other side) of town.  The cats are not impressed but they aren't frightened of him which I suppose is good.  Blood hasn't been shed yet but I feel it's only a matter of time!

We are learning all about house training and 'no biting' training and 'oh shit he got in through the cat door' training.

I have taken him to see mum and dad twice this week and they love him.  I think it gives them something else to focus on.

Dad is a bit better this week but is definitely slowly deteriorating.

I had my group therapy, psych appt and first consult with the naturopath this week.  I also got a phone call from the GP clinic asking to see me soon ... I'm guessing my bloods I had done last week aren't the best!  Seeing as my psych duplicated most of the tests except cholesterol I'm guessing it's that.  Interestingly I am still peri-menopausal (thank god I had the hysterectomy when I did) and we are waiting for the results from the stress markers.  The naturopath was very interesting and he is prescribing me some herbs and supplements.  I remain open minded.

And on that note I shall end this brief update.  Angus wakes early and I am sleep deprived!!