Busy week and beginning of Christmas!

It's been a busy week with half term.  I am very tired and have a very stiff neck. and rather dizzy.  On my own for a bit today as Rob and Emily have gone to a birthday party.  I have to wait in for a charity collection coming to collect some of the stuff from my grandma's.  Last time we booked them they didn't turn up, I won't be pleased if I wait all morning for them to do that again.

Poor Emily is full of cold and coughing and sneezing for England, but insisted on going to the party, she got the cold from her cousin who's party it is, perhaps she thinks she can give it back!  Just hope she is ok for school on Monday.

I have been to busy and tired to think of the positives.

On Thursday we went to see Elves and the Shoemaker at Northern Ballet.  Its a children's ballet and was brilliant.  There were also craft activities to make an elves hat, some shoes and things to colour or dress up in.  Its a great production and brilliant value for money, this is reflected in the fact that it is sold out for every performance. I booked in September and there weren't many tickets left then, will have to make sure I get in earlier next year.  Of course I got the family with small baby next to me which was rather distracting.  Emily used a booster seat, but they were inflatable ones and she kept falling off, so she ended up leaning on me to stay on it!!  Thankfully the production is only about 45 mins which is just right for the children.

After the performance we went over to The Grand Arcade for some food and the Christmas event at Our Handmade Collective.  We chose Casa Columbiana for tea.  The food was delicious and most of the menu is Gluten free.  I had the mixed beans with grilled chicken, the coating on the chicken was a bit salty, but otherwise great as were the accompaniments and there was much more than I could eat, it would have been better if Emily and I had shared a meal as she did not eat much of hers, she chose meatballs which were very good Rob said, but Emily was not keen, think they were too good for her, she is used to school meatballs!!  Service was very friendly and the price quite reasonable, especially for the city centre.

Then we went over to Our Handmade Collective for their launch of Christmas opening and 10% off night.  It was busy when we arrived and there is so much to see.  Its quite a small shop with lots inside, I think I only saw half the things on display.  The staff as ever were very friendly and helpful.  We ended up buying much more than we had planned, but its all so tempting and has been made by local people.  We got chocolates from Chocolate Chest, bath bombs from Little Shop of Lathers, cards from Jil Made This, earrings from Tina Green, and massage oil for aches and pain from Blue Butterfly and a beautiful handpainted silk lamp from Lucy Lou.  Oooops were we supposed to be Christmas shopping think we only bought two gifts!!  See Handmade's own review here.  Yes we do want more!  The shop itself is quite small so not difficult to get around, but there is a lot to take in and I need several visits to take it in I think.  Have seen pictures on their webpage of things I missed. The shop is also accessed by a couple of steps so is not wheelchair accessible.  If you are unable to access the wonderful staff would be more than happy to help you and show you anything you wanted, they are a great bunch, very happy and enthusiastic about their shop and products, its a joy to visit.  When I just wanted some cards they kindly posted them out to me and many of the sellers have their own websites and attend other events.

I can't believe we are now in November, where does the time go?  Its nice and sunny and very warm for time of year, the roses outside my window are still flowering! Its no wonder there are so many colds about.  There were a lot of people out trick and treating last night it got rather tiring getting up to answer the door and I was feeling rubbish, but nice to see the kids having fun and we didn't get any tricks.  Emily came back with lots of sweets.

I read Crushed this week, written by a fellow ME sufferer Holly A Harvey, its a great book, easy to read and a keeps you reading and guessing, it was great company on my pain filled sleepless nights.  Well worth a read and a bargain price too.

I must finish now have been sitting here for ages feeling quite sick and dizzy now, but still waiting for collection so no rest yet, but a cup of tea and a more comfy seat will do for now.

Keep on smiling!

Well after a very hectic few days visiting family and travelling on my own with Emily I just have time for a quick post to keep up the positives.  I thought I hadn't got any as things had been so busy and hard work, but as ever there are things so it is worth taking a few minutes to remember them.

Thursday was very difficult as I had to travel by train with Emily.  Luckily we have a local station that links with the local station where family live, I cannot get into a mainline station without my wheelchair.  The local one was difficult enough as we had to go over the bridge its a long hard struggle for me, but Emily was very well behaved and helpful.  When we get to Sheffield we have to change platforms, which is quite a walk, but no steps and I just have to take it slowly, but not too slow as there is only 10 mins to make the connection!  We made the connection and the train drops us right next to the car park where my Mum was waiting to pick us up.  That is my first positive managing to do the journey its not easy and I can't do it on my own so have to put a lot of trust in Emily.  My second positive is that Emily was so helpful and well behaved.  Later in the afternoon my Auntie and Uncle came to see us at my Mum's it was lovely to see how much delight they got from seeing Emily so that is number 3.

Friday was hard work, I did get a bit of time to myself so I guess that's a positive and the other positive was being able to sort out some more of my Grandma's things as my Mum can't face it. I started reading a book written by an ME friend, Crushed, its a good and easy read.  I enjoyed her first book Karma.

On Saturday I got the final box to sort and found my Grandma's engagement ring that we had all given up for lost.  It was a great find and well worth going through all the bags and boxes to find it.  Number two was seeing Emily having fun with her cousins and having someone other than me to play with.  Finally Emily was very well behaved at the dinner table and ate her food despite many other distractions.

On Sunday a family celebration meant Emily got more time with her cousins and I enjoyed spending time with them too, they were all very good and a pleasure to be with.  I was however very grateful to get home and very grateful to Emily for helping me to have a bath and wash my hair.  So as I said there are always some positives.

Today I was grateful that the grass and hedges were cut ready for winter.  My PA came back after 3 weeks off, so I have help again which is much needed.  I got a break this afternoon when Emily was invited to a friends to play, don't think I could have managed without that.

So it's day one of holiday over only another four to go!