Busy busy busy.

I have been making presents to give to people this Christmas.

Yesterday I made some chocolate sweets and some little boxes to present them in, and I have made lots of jewellery which is my new passion.

Here are a few things that I made this week.

White crackle quarts and onyx with silver clasp.

Pink Shell rectangles, with mookite 4mm rounds and pink quarts beads.  Magnetic clasp.

Haematite and pearls with magnetic clasp and matching earrings.

Shell pendent with silver wire work and bale, glass beads in black and grey on a  wire torque.

(I love doing the wire work).

Picture jasper shapes and tigers eye 6mm rounds, and jasper 7mm rounds.  Magnetic clasp.  Matching earrings.   This looks stunning when worn.

If you get one of these for Christmas, you must look surprised.  They have been made with real gemstones (on the whole) and a lot of love and time thrown in for good measure.

Brian's last day on route 63

An emotional presentation was given to Brian on his last day of route 63.    He has been covering this route for the last 8 years, firstly with Windrush Transport, and then White's Coaches.   Over the years he has made many friends whilst driving through the villages of Hinton Waldrist, Longworth, Appleton and Cumnor on his route to Oxford, and the passengers have expressed their regret that he will no longer be driving them.    Mr. Alan Feast, Parish Councillor made a presentation on behalf of the people of Appleton who had made a collection. 

Mr. Eric Auckland of Longworth Parish Council was also present and gave Brian a gift to mark the last day of Brian's route.

Brian would like to say 'thank you' to everyone that donated to his farewell present, and to those who sent cards and best wishes, and gave individual presents.

Brian would like to wish all his friends and passengers a fond farewell and the best of luck with the new service which will start on Monday.

Just our luck!

Brian has been really poorly again.  His breathing is not good, pain in chest and coughing.  I managed to get him to the doctor this evening after work, but I had to get cross with him for not looking after himself to get him to agree to the appointment. 

We waited for about half hour for the duty doctor who gave him a good going over, and felt that he needed to use an inhaler, and go back to see his own doctor if things did not improve.

He dashed off to Tesco's where we knew that the chemist was open late to get his prescription filled.  I really didn't want another night of worrying about him coughing and wheezing, so he needs to start his medication as soon as possible.

He was so upset when he came out of the shop and found that someone had bashed the car and put a huge dent in it, and driven off without leaving details.  So now he's, coughing, wheezing and upset.  It's going to cost quite a bit to put it right - just what we need at Christmas when the budget is stretched to capacity already.

I won't tell you what Brian said, but it was not 'bless you,' although it did start with a 'B.'

School days

Tuesday today, that means that Alice has been with me overnight since I picked her up from the nursery yesterday.   We then have to get her back for 12.45 (the afternoon session) at her school nursery today.  

Sounds easy enough doesn't it.  Small problem, Alice lives an hours drive from where I live, and timing can be difficult with  a 3 year old who does not see why she should get dressed or have her hair brushed and certainly does not want to clean her teeth.

"I just want to play Nannie Rosie - sing it again!"   She has suddenly started to enjoy marching, and my job is to sing ' The grand old Duke of York' over and over again whilst she marches around the table. She is followed by Jasper, tail wagging and tongue hanging out,  whilst Mica sits on my knee wondering what on earth is going on. 

We then had several games of 'hide and seek' after reading 'Spot's Birthday Party.'  She hasn't quite got the hang of the hiding bit because she goes to the same place each time, and I have to look everywhere giving a commentary (no, Alice is not behind the curtain etc.)  before finding her.   She loves it anyway and we all had a lot of fun and giggles.

She finally allowed me to help her get dressed, and she did her teeth and I was allowed to brush her hair. We then collected all her bits and pieces, including her overnight bag and 'marched' to the car, with me singing 'the grand of Duke of York.'

I am not sure what the builders who are working on the house next door must have thought but at this point I just had to get her into the car so kept on singing.  The dogs got into the car in record time - no doubt embarrassed by my singing.  Once all in and strapped safely we were off.

We managed to get to school just 10 minutes late, Alice slipping into the class and sitting on the carpet with the other children in time to watch a story of the Nativity.   She looks such a little lady, my baby has disappeared and this delightful little girl has taken her place. I am one lucky Nannie Rosie.

Nana time

On Monday's we pick up my granddaughter from nursery and bring her home to stay for the night.  We put the dogs in the car and set out to get there at 11.15 when her session ends.

I stood outside with the mums and another nana and chatted, because I was a bit early, and had a conversation about whether it would rain or not.  The weather girl had promised us a good day.  Well, it rained and when the doors opened I was nicely soaked.

I saw my grandaughter, and when she saw me she ran up to me to say the usual greeting 'Hello Nanna Rosie!' but all that came out of her little mouth was - croak!

She looked really peaky and by the time we got home she was asking to go to bed (at 4.30!).

I had forgotten how it felt to have a little one be ill;  my daughter is now a mother herself, but all those feelings came flooding back.   By 6 p.m.  Alice was asleep on my lap and burning up.   Calpol to the rescue to help with her tempterature, and put to bed.

At 2.30 am and she was awake and crying with an awful croaky cry, and her breathing was wheezy.  I felt so helpless and wished it was me instead of her, but all I could do was hold her, and tell her she would feel better soon.   Another dose of medicine and the Chipmonks DVD was the only thing that helped her to settle, and she finally fell asleep again.   I did too, but not for long before getting up to see my husband off to work and make his packed lunch.  

The puppies as ever were full of fun and jumped on me as I went into the kitchen, greeting me as though I had been away for a fortnight.  They couldn't understand why Alice didn't want to play and looked longingly at her with tongues hanging out and tails wagging.

At the moment, we are cuddled up under the throw, and she still doesn't have a voice.  Poor love.  I don't think we will venture far today.

A duvet day I think and watch Mickey Mouse Club all day if she doesn't improve. Such a shame because it is school photos today, but she will not be fit to go if some improvement is not forthcoming and soon.

Oh well, lots to do indoors - perhaps even some housework - but I doubt it.  Perhaps I should tackled the dogs, they need a wash and brush up and a trim.

Dogs just want to have fun -  what's going on Mum - oh no - don't get the brush out!

Aaaaggggghhhhh  ---  Nooooooo!

Flu Jab

I am going to have my flu jab today.   I did go a fortnight ago but because I had a temperature they sent me away with instructions to come back when I was well.

Well my temperature is back to normal so here we go again.  There is no margin for error because the appointments are two minutes apart, with instructions on the door to 'have your arm ready.' 

When I started my nurse training back in 1973, most intramuscular injections were given into the gluteus maximus muscle.   Imagine that sign on the door -  'have your bum ready!'

Charity Shop - here I come!

Doesn't it make you feel good to finally get something done that you have intended doing for a long time, but have not managed to get around to it yet.

My wardrobe was bursting at the seams and could not shut properly, plus there were hangers hanging on the outside with various things that would not fit inside. 

Well, I sorted out my wardrobe and anything that I had not worn for a year went into the charity shop bag.  I also got rid of lots of my work clothes (because now I have retired I really don't need them) which left a roomy space that I could actually manage, and see what I have to wear.

The next thing I did was to colour code my clothes going from black to white with all the colours in between stacked together to make it easier to find what I need when I need it.  I now have a rainbow of clothes, and I just keep opening the doors, looking at the clothes, and then closing the doors again.  

Now - two large bags for the charity shop are in the boot of the car ready to be delivered.

I feel so pleased with myself.  What next  -  the craft room I think, but this may take a little longer to sort out.

Christmas is coming

We went to the garden centre for lunch today after church.  This is a usual occurrence on a Sunday.  Church, lunch out and the visit my mother in law (who is in a nursing home a few miles away).

Today when we walked around the garden centre towards the restaurant the Christmas music was playing pleasantly in the background making me want to sing along.  Christmas is my favourite time of year but this year will be the first time for many years that I haven't been part of a school Christmas.  Working with the younger pupils I usually organised that nativity part of the school play.  It never failed to make me feel misty and bring a lump to my throat.  The children dressed as angels, animals, shepherds and kings, with Mary, Joseph and the little doll wrapped up and put into the toy manger.

What is so unusual with this?  Almost every nursery in the country does a nativity, don't they?

The big difference is that the children that I worked with all had special needs, and to see them in their wheelchairs, or 'signing' the songs because they couldn't speak or sing, or joining their little friends on stage in front of an audience despite being autistic and finding this situation really scary made our play different.  In fact, the play was wonderful on lots of levels, especially as every child in the school took part whatever their ability or disability.  We took pains to make sure that Jesus was truly a part of our Christmas in a world that often forgets this fact.   Christmas is not about buying expensive toys or gifts, but remembering that tiny child that came to set us free.

Today I saw angels.

At the funeral of a little boy, most adored and loved, but who we knew would not be with us for long, I looked around and saw angels.


The room was full of people whose lives had been touched by this special child, each and every one of them with special memories of a time they spent with him that was precious and would be long remembered. This child, over the course of his short time with us, had lost the skills that he had gained as a baby and toddler and was at the end in need of extensive care to keep him going.


One could be forgiven for thinking that the quality of life for J was not good, but the people who met him and worked with him and cared for him ensured that this was not the case.


His parents worked tirelessly to ensure that he had the opportunity to experience what other children of his age were able to.


His wider family gave the love and support that J and his parents needed to continue the exhausting roundabout of care, work, appointments and activities that come with a child with special needs.


The doctors, nurses, carers, professionals and hospice workers, that cared, played, sang and laughed with J, helped to enrich his life experiences and keep him as well as he could be.


The teachers and assistants who painted, made music, played in the pool, relaxed in the soft play area, massaged and stimulated senses, laughed and cried with J and his Mother and Father were enriched from knowing and working with him.


I saw other children and families known from Helen House Hospice or school, who shared this grief and were there to say their 'goodbyes.' Parents helped their children to be part of the service wheeling their chairs to the casket bearing our little friend, and assisting them to put a flower onto it, supporting hands and arms where needed.


He has left a hole in our lives. Physically he is no longer with us, but the love he engendered; the feelings he wrought in others will never leave us. When we were with him we were better people,  inspired to do wonderful things


When I stood up at his funeral with my guitar in my arms ready to sing J's favourite song, I looked out at this congregation of people, all of whom had spent time with this child, and that's when I saw angels. They were not glowing figures with wings, they were ordinary people who loved and cared and played with J, and in doing so were doing such important things for this little child and many others like him.


God does indeed work in mysterious ways, and we are all his angels and He works through us to help those who need us. The things that these 'angels' do is not just a job, it is so much more. J has left his hand print on our hearts and souls and we will always remember him.


Our hearts and prayers are with his parents and family.

A special little boy.

As a teacher in a special needs nursery, I have had the privilege to work with some wonderful children and parents.   Many of the children need 'extra special' care because they are so ill and their care needs are so great, that it is difficult for the parent to know where to start when playing with their child.

One such special family came to my nursery some years ago when the little chap was just 2 years old.  His mother and father are  wonderful caring people who dedicated their lives to the care of this child, but the caring was so technical and constant that there was little time to play.

This is what we taught the parents to do; to learn to play and enjoy playing with this child.  When this mum did her first finger painting with the child, she cried.   Finger painting was such a normal thing to do with a child, yet it was the first time she had had the encouragement and opportunity to do this in a safe and supportive situation.   Following this, getting messy was a big part of the activities that he was able to do at nursery.

He was too ill to come to nursery daily, but his two sessions per week were tailored to his needs ensuring he had music, sensory and messy play which always involved his mother.  Whenever he did a painting, he had to do three others for grandparents and some were sent across the world to relative living far away.  Whatever was happening in the school, he was included and involved. 

It has been a joy and privilege to be part of this little boys life,.

The inevitable end happened at a children's hospice last week, and now we must all say our 'goodbyes' to him. 

Although sad,  we will celebrate his life, and  remember  the lives that he touched, the people who were inspired to do things because of him, and the love that he brought to those who worked and played with him.

When I sing the songs that you loved, it will be for you little man.

A moment in the spotlight!

My husband texted this program.   They were asking who people had been photographed with.   Can you imagine my surprise when they rang me to ask me about my photo.  I was looking after my granddaughter at the time, not listening to the radio, and wondered what on earth was going on.  They told me what my husband had done, and put me through live to the radio.

We are all made in the image of God.

A very special project has come together at last.  We have had our first Wednesday Church meeting; a church service specifically for special needs adults.

This was the culmination of prayer, courses attended by volunteers and interested people, collaborative working between churches and a tremendous will to ensure that adults with learning difficulties have equal rights to worship and fellowship in a Christian community.

The session began with a welcome and refreshments, and a 'getting to know you' discussion between the congregation and the volunteers.     Everyone was a little nervous, but it is surprising what a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit can do.   Soon everyone was chatting, making name badges and getting to know each other.

The service was heralded by music coming from the church indicating that people should move from the hall into the church, changing the location and the mood to get everyone ready for worship.

The service itself had been planned so that the language was not too difficult and with visual aids, a PowerPoint presentation to show words of hymns and prayers, and the hymns were 'signed' for those who were unable to communicate in any other way.

The sermon was in the form of a story and the message was that everyone is welcome in God's house.  This was an excellent way to help everyone understand the message.  We felt that this was very appropriate and Jesus himself used stories and parables to help people understand his teachings.

The service was a tremendous success, and I cannot help feeling that something special happened in the house of God on Wednesday.   Everyone, whoever, whatever and however they could worshipped in their own way, and God was there with us to help us share the love that we all need.

We are all God's children and made in his image.   I am sure that this congregation reflects the loving and special part of God's image.  The enthusiasm and lack of self-consciousness in which the songs were sung, and the Amen's shouted is a lesson to us all.

The Wednesday Church is a pilot project and will run until July, in the hope that we can then extend it and make it permanent.   Keep us in your prayers for this very special project.

Mica and Jasper

When I was planning for my retirement, on the top of the list was a dog.  I have wanted a dog for so long, but working full time meant that I didn't have the time to give, and a dog needs lots of time and love.

I was introduced to a lovely lady who had some Yorkies for sale.  Yorkies are little dogs who don't know it.   They have such character and most importantly for me, are asthma friendly.  They don't have fur they have hair and this does not trigger my symptoms.

When I went along to view the puppies they were 6 weeks old, and so tiny I could hold one in the palm of my hand.   I wanted the puppy to pick me rather than the other way around so I sat on the floor and they were released from their little training cage, and enjoyed their freedom by running everywhere.   One little dog came straight to me.   She was very cute, and jumped up on my lap and licked my hand.   She had chosen me, and I then chose her.   I sat for half an hour just playing with her and the other puppies, putting her down and waiting to see if she came back to me.   She did, every time so I knew she was mine.

The puppies were beautiful and looked like mini Ewoks (Starwars reference).  As  I played with my little puppy, my husband was making connections of his own.   He sat with both parent dogs on his lap and loved just stroking them and was very relaxed.   Meanwhile, my daughter (who also came to help choose)  really wanted one of the puppies, and a little male had attached himself to her.   She kept putting this little chap onto my lap along with my chosen dog.   He was lovely and cuddled up on my knee alongside the little girl pup and promptly fell asleep.

The little pups looked so beautiful together and so we decided to have not one puppy but two.   They are called Mica (female) and Jasper (male) and have kept me busy for the last couple of weeks.   I cannot take them out just yet because they need to have their second injection, but that will happen next Monday so I can at last take them out and about.

Today I went to the pet shop and bought two little harnesses.   One pink and the other red.  The dog harnesses were so big that the pups would be able to wriggle out of them without any problems, so I bought rabbit harnesses which fit perfectly. 

I am looking forward to walking the puppies, getting fitter in the process and enjoying the love and companionship that dogs give unconditionally and with such enthusiasm.

Mica and Jasper

Tea at the Ritz

Sunday 20th February, the start of half term.   It is difficult for me to comprehend that I have been retired for 6 weeks.  I still worry about school and wake up at night wondering how the children and staff are managing.   I tell myself 'no one is indispensible' and that really is the truth.   The girls are coping really well.  My classroom looks minimalist now that all my resources, books, (junk) has gone, and they are doing a wonderful job.   Thank God I really can stop worrying now.
To celebrate my retirement my ex team plus one of our faithful volunteers went to London for the day.  Esther organised the train, the day and especially the tea at the Ritz.
What can I say, from the moment I got out of the car the adventure began.  We (8 of us) jumped on the train at Oxford and within an hour were stepping out in London.
First stop was the shops!  We especially enjoyed walking around Harrods looking at the beautiful things, gasping at the outrageous prices, and being sprayed with so much perfume that for the rest of the day we seemed to be floating on a cloud of fragrance.
The pets department was one of the stops, because I need some very small harnesses for the puppies.  The ones on sale were beautiful, leather, blingy and so expensive.   (I have decided that I will visit my local pet shop and perhaps buy a rabbit or even a ferret harness if I cannot get the doggy ones at the right size).
Next - THE RITZ.  Pulling up in the taxi outside the lovely building was a little disappointing because the hotel was dressed in scaffolding and plastic sheets because they were cleaning the brickwork.
Well, as my mum would say, do not judge a book by it's cover.
Inside, through the old wooden revolving doors we were greeted by uniformed bell boys in pillbox hats, welcoming us.   We were shown to the tea room, the decor of which was glorious.   The dark wooden floors shone, and the rococo style of the walls and ceilings are works of art.  The room smelled of flowers, and bowls of white roses and orchids were placed on tables around the room.   The baby grand piano shone like a mirror reflecting the grand mouldings and fabrics in the room.
Time for tea.  We were shown to our table and waited on by 3 waiters who brought our choice of tea in individual silver pots, and plates of mini sandwiches and cakes.   At this point I was quite hungry and thought this would not fill me however beautifully it was presented.
I could not have been more wrong.   Having poured my Lady Grey, and nibbled at my sandwiches, the waiter immediately refilled the plates.   Next, warm scones with jam and clotted cream.    We looked at each other and smiled.   This was wonderful, something to remember always and we were made to feel totally  pampered.   
As the scones, jam and cream disappeared, more arrived.   Teapots were whisked away and refilled, replaced by smiling waiters.  An hour and a half later, we were full, happy and content.  The waiters indulged us by taking photos of us in the beautiful surroundings.
I can thoroughly recommend this experience if you want to mark a special occasion.   Splendid.

Thank you to my team who made it all possible, and the memory of this will stay with me forever.