Moving at the speed of life

……seeing as how it didn’t really ever get light today. Hannah was exhausted today, as she’d been up several times during the night, so she decided a PJ days was in order. I was tired as well – off to work at 5am yesterday, and not home till 11pm, so I was happy to go along with it. So we both had baths, stuck on clean PJs and lolled about all day.

The man from Dell arrived with the pink laptop, and I spent ages setting it up. Though a was slightly taken aback, as the old one has suddenly started to work again. I switched it on downstairs while I unplugged my monitor from upstairs, so that I could connect the monitor and get her favourites and contacts off the old one, and when I came down, there it was all booted up and working. Shit. It’s worked all day, so not sure what is going on there, and extremely pee-ed off that we bought another, even if it IS pink and has a great spec. Especially as *I* have no chance of getting it. Though mine is almost on it’s way out, and is in fact much older than Hannah’s old one, so I suppose I could have it, if it really is a permanent fix. Just so annoying of course, as no one would even look inside it, just decreed that laptops were never worth fixing. Anyway, the pink one is great, and Vista seems fine, even though none of her CDs will run on it, and despite extensive searching, haven’t found any patches online either. Though she has probably just about outgrown a lot of the stuff she had on cd anyway, and spends more time online now than using them. The really annoying bit though (bit of a theme here), was the fact that you can’t copy things from a Ipod to a PC – they only synch one way, which means effectively that when you change PC, you wipe the Ipod – you can’t lift anything off it. So the first time you put anything new through Itunes on a different PC, it removes everything already there when you synchronise it. I couldn’t believe that was true, and kept thinking that I was misunderstanding it somehow, so eventually phoned Apple, and was told that is EXACTLY the case. As she had about 50 audio books on there, there was no way I was going to wipe it, so I got on a forum somewhere, and a 14 year old in the US called Dirk, told me about SharePod. It’s a bit of freeware that lets you copy your Ipod to your c drive, then synch it with Itunes, and THEN synch it to the Ipod. A complete faff, though it has worked fine. I’m so used to using my Zen as a storage system for all sorts, it never occurred to me that I wouldn’t be able to do it with the Ipod. Damn thing, all looks, and no substance. Unlike me Fortunately though, Office 2000 seems to work fine.

So, in between messing about with technology, we’ve cleared the washing basket, Hannah has read a book – not sure what – played with the GPs indoors for a while, phoned friends, phoned my mum to see how her MRI scan went – she was really worried about being claustophobic in the tunnel, even though Hannah had assured her she’d be fine. Far too much experience of MRI scans, has Hannah. Anyway, she WAS fine, so now waiting to see if she does need back surgery. And tha’ts about it, I think. Bob in his place in the kitchen, I’m on the pooter, all is well.

I got over-excited last week when M+S announced they were doing a foray into the further reaches of the alphabet, and ordered three bras. However, they were all useless, so today I found myself making my annual pilgrimage to Bravissimo, where I parted with the best part of £100 (yes – you read that right!) for three supportive undergarments. So I am now boned, hoisted and scaffolded. I should really go to Worthing to flash them off, as that’s what I did two years ago, and then last year did the same at Helmsley. Rather distressingly though, I got fitted today again, and discovered that I am a size smaller round the back than I was last year, and a bigger again cup size. How can that be? Hmmm.

I had a meeting this morning, and then before my sortie into celebrating my boobs (their slogan, not mine, makes me squirm), met my job share partner for lunch. It was lovely, as we don’t see that much of each other, and actually, our offices are 50 miles apart. So while we speak most days, we rarely sit down together. Lovely lunch, a quick chat about work, and then catching up on the important bits of life.

Hannah has been with Flora, and then Bob took her to the pool, and she beat him hands down over 50 lengths, which did little for his ego as triathalon-man. She is just so strong in the water. I should have more to say, but, I’m knackered.

We were much cheered by the Guide leader’s phone call this morning. Jo was here for a music lesson, and I’m amazed at the level of tunefulness that Hannah produces from the keyboard. After she’d gone, we decided it was one of those days when it probably wasn’t going to get light, so we lit lots of scented candles, and Hannah continued work on a collage she is doing, so glitter was spread throughout the house.  We discussed how early Bob could be persuaded to put the tree up. I’ve mentioned before, that before we had her, our tree went up on Xmas eve, when we came home from work, and staying up till 6 January. We gradually extended it to the weekend before xmas, and then last year we were the earliest it has ever been, around the 15th, I think. Though we have started to take it down a bit earlier, usually the 2nd or 3rd of January. This year, Hannah is angling for the 8th.

We then had a phone call from the lovely Sean from Dublin, to tell us that the new (pink!!!) laptop was about to be dispatched by Dell. Unfortunately I’m working the next two days, so there won’t be anyone in to receive it, so it is now coming on Friday morning. Which means that we need to stay in, I guess,  though huge excitement. Mainly from me. I just hope Vista is OK, and that at least some of her CD roms work on it.

The day just sort of slid by, I took a couple of press calls, did a bit of writing, and really just loafed about, while Hannah has drawn, played and read. It’s pouring with rain now, but she is set to go out to athletics, and I am about to have a bath, so we aren’t both fighting for hot water later.

We’ve had a bit of an upset here. DD loves Guides, and has been going for about a year. However, I’ve noticed the last month or so she’s been coming home in a foul mood, although she wouldn’t say what was wrong.

Yesterday she asked me if bullying meant you were being hit, or could it be other things as well, and after a long and coaxing conversation, it turns out that three girls from Guides have been getting her by herself in the toilet, kitchen area etc, and having a go at her about HE “it must mean you are stupid, you’ll never get a job, you won’t have any friends, everyone hates you because you don’t go to school etc etc” I still feel like crying when I write it.

Anyway, we looked at all the options, and she rejected a few: not going back, changing her night etc; and decided that first she would try to deal with it by herself, and that I would go to the door to pick her up tonight, rather than staying in the car, and if she hadn’t had any success with them, then she would tell me at the end, and I would go in and have a word with the leader. So the afternoon was spent role playing possible ways for her to respond to them.

I felt sick the entire time she was at Guides in the evening, and when she came out she was ashen, and asked me to go in. Fortunately that leader was great, and in fact she had noticed tonight that they had followed DD out of the room, and she had gone and brought them back, and told them off. She told dd that in fact one of the girls mothers had bullied HER when she was at guides as a kid. I still feel ill, though, and they are meant to be going away all day on Saturday for their Xmas day out, and I’m really worried about her having to cope all day with them, though Christine says she will ensure that they don’t get near her. She did say that the next step for her would be to remove the girls from Guides, and that for all sorts of other reasons, she would be happy to do that if necessary. But, just argh! My bright, brave, smart wee girl, she’s had so much crap in her life already, and these little shits!! I could slap them all.

I’ve been away the last few days training, and dd seems to have had a good time – Flora has been doing a project on World Religions with her, which is nearly complete, and she’s been doing lots of reading – mainly Dr Who, I think, and having just looked at her Education City record, lots of that as well. There has also been a lot of glitter scattered.

I was home today, and as I was training again this evening (just finished 10 mins ago), had planned to spend the day preparing. Decided however to fly by the seat of my pants, and so we went to Culzean with Elaine and JR. It was the most fabulous day in terms of weather, and dd found us a beach that I’ve never been on before. Elaine will no doubt have the pictures to prove it.  it is such a magical place there, with woods, castles, beaches. DD then marched us round the swan pond doing a David Attenborough impresonation, warning us of flesh-eating wildlife at every opportunity.

Had I been better organised, would have taken sandwiches, but as I wasn’t, we headed back to the beach cafe in town for a rather indigestible lunch (it was digestible at the time, but several hours later, is less so). Girls played in the beach playpark, dd demonstrating that she has a different body temp than the rest of us by running around in a short sleeved t shirt in zero degrees.

Headed into town to buy some fancy biscuits for the class, and I horrified JR by telling her how I morphed into a lip-sticked power dresser by whirling in a phone box – which tickled me almost as much as Elaine thinking that my National Trust card was my business card, and the picture of the castle on the front was my home. As we turned the corner at the bus station, I turned to find E+J had jumped onto a passing bus (well, almost!) and were being borne away into the sunset.

So have set the students up for the weekend now, and about to have some dinner and an early night.

……boring into my knee Ouch. Had a miserbale night, and so ensured that Bob also had a miserable night, fetching my ice packs, ibuprofen, tea, and keeping my company. I’m still lying in bed, having hobbled to shower earlier, and am now sporting Papa’s walking stick, left behind on his last visit.

Hmmmm

I haven’t loaned this to anyone, have I? I need to install it on my laptop, and can I find the disks anywhere? NO.

Rather stupidly, I have done my knee in. I was wearing my new glasses, and I need such a strong reading prescription now, that I can’t see 4 feet in front of me while I am wearing them. Unfortunately I decided to come downstairs with them on, and just didn’t see the bottom two steps. I thought initially I’d hurt my ankle, but that has settled down, though my knee is twice it’s normal size, and barely weight-bearing. Arse that I am.

DD and friend had a long lie (H till 8am, friend till 11am). By that time I was off my feet, and Bob took them out for a couple of hours, to try to find somewhere that would let the kids in to watch the Scotland/Italy game, as we don’t have Sky. He didn’t have any luck, and friend was so horrified she has gone home to watch it .

Bob and DD have played Trivial Pursuits and Uno for the last couple of hours – how did she learn so much trivia?? Am now sitting with a bag of frozen peas on my knee while everyone runs around seeing to my every need

The music teacher cancelled today (AFTER I had done the hoovering), so dd and I leapt in the car as I needed to go into the office – I’d left something confidential in an unlocked drawer, and it had been bothering me all night, so I picked it up. Headed off to Greenock to the indoor water park place. I was truly impressed, and it was more than worth the journey – def a place to visit again. We had lunch, and then met Elaine and JR. I was feeling a bit rough, so had decided the pool wasn’t for me, and was pleasantly surprised when Elaine was ordered not to enter the water either. This meant the two of us got to sit in a rather pleasant viewing area, drinking very nice coffee, and chatting for almost three hours. All that seemed to be required was that we waved to the girls as they shot past on the tyre slide. Very enjoyable and relaxing afternoon.

DD and I then headed to Glasgow to pick up a friend who is staying for the night, and miraculously given it was raining, foggy and rush hour on a Friday evening a month before Xmas, it was a quick journey, up to Glasgow and then home. On the way to Glasgow, did some car ed with a romp through the endocrine system, (knew that paediatric nursing would be of some benefit at some point), and the two girls have now taken Hamish-the-human-torso apart and are discussing his bits. Just wondering if I can completely avoid the schamltz of Children in Need.

By typing letters of the alphabet into the title box, and seeing all the titles it suggests based on previous posts. It seems to have a memory from the old Couthie Communications as well, as it suggested the potty post, the ski lift post, and the knitting post. LOL.

Anyway, been a tough couple of days somehow – have been away training, and missed dd ridiculously. Then today I have felt quite seedy, and had a long drive home tonight in freezing fog, dodging ****holes driving with only their sidelights on, overtaking on the inside and generally getting up my nose.

However, safely home now, dd off to athletics, Bob running around a hill somewhere, and I am just about to have a bath and put my PJs on. Really looking forward to the weekend.

Nope, not playing the wii (I wish). It’s safely hidden away and dd believes there is not a chance that one will appear on Xmas morning. OK, arguably I’m mean, but I like her to believe that I can still sometimes conjure victory from the jaws of defeat. So much less exciting that wii playing – in Montrose, training.