
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010

Sunday, August 22, 2010
Adoption. Where to begin? Okay, a little bit of history. Doctors thought I might have trouble conceiving - cysts, menopausal signs - won't bore you with the gory details! I was blessed to be able to get pregnant. Carried 3 and lost 2, not brilliant statistics, but I would never complain. Well, except when they are testing every maternal gene in my body, then I complain plenty!
Carrying Joe was a nightmare. He was a Rhesus Negative baby, and because I hadn't had the Anti-D jab with the previous miscarriage, it was a difficult pregnancy, culminating in the last 6 weeks being stuck in a maternity ward. Fast forward to the miscarriage after Ben. I didn't feel I could put my body, or my soul, through the pain and heartache again. And we looked at the sheer number of children in this country that need a home. Okay, so that is an incredibly brief explanation of my pregancies, but as it isn't the reason for todays post, it'll do.
So we decided to adopt. And what an eventful experience that was - also worthy of it's own post. Another fast forward and Ella has been a light in our life, as well as testing our parenting skills to the limit on some occasions, for the last 7 years.
But, and the reason for todays post, finances were never considered in the process. Yes, we had to prove we could afford another, but as someone once said to me 'once you've had 3, it doesn't matter how many more you have'. We never had to actually fund the process. That seems fair, we're taking a child/children that need a home, and social services benefit by removing the child from the system and funding foster care, etc. The only charge could have been the medical, but our GP waived the fee when he found out what the medical was for.
My online friend Suzanne is stuck in a nightmare situation. This blog post explains what she is going through. There is no way we could have afforded to adopt if that system was here, and how much we, and anyone that's met her, would have lost if Ella had never been part of our family.
But as you, hopefully, read, she's not giving up lying down! So this post has her stamps for sale :) Please take a few minutes to have a look, see if there's anything that takes your fancy, and remember every penny is helping a couple look after a child that needs loving parents :)
Saturday, August 21, 2010
So, what else?
Robert and Jane have been working so hard on their loft conversion since I've been here. I really feel for them, August in France, putting up plasterboard, sanding etc. Get the picture? I've helped out where I can - shopping; cleaning; washing up - especially washing up! Ironic, every other year Jeff itches to do something other than relax. The year he's not here he could have been so busy he'd have been begging for a rest!
Last night we had a mini swarm of flying beetles. Ella was in her element pointing them out! Stopped counting when we had disposed of over 30 - bleurgh!
And can I just say. Farmhouse in the country. Idyllic. Yes, but, isn't there always a but? But no when it comes to blocked drains. Let's just say I am now totally in awe of my sis-in-law. I could never do what she has to. Say no more? Good idea!
Have I broken anything this week? Not directly, but we're still down one glass, minor, and one tent strut, major.
Ella has really settled into sleeping in the tent. So much so that we have - okay, she has - tantrums when the boys want it for the night! Jeez that kid can be contrary? What? She's a female? So????
Photos of Ben and my nephews at the pool. Anything missing? Well, anybody missing? A certain young lady was having a strop in the car at the time - her loss!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Ella is covered - and I mean covered - in bites and scratches :(
James's 15th birthday today - so we're celebrating in the rain!


Friday, August 06, 2010
Jeff left Ben, Ella and me here while he went with Josh home for some football tournament and work. And, as he doesn't read this, so I shan't die of embarrassment, I miss him sooooooo much. Drives me up the wall moaning when we're together, and my heart actually hurts when we're apart. Go figure!
Josh flew for the first time ever. Was slightly anxious he wouldn't get on the plane - hey, I know ALL about that!
We've broken my brothers satelite connection, although God only knows how!
First time I've ever driven in France - more to the point - on the wrong side of the road!
Ran over a bird and killed it :(
Had the most amazing storms - lovely to watch - nightmare when they blow the electrics and you realise you haven't got a clue where the fuse box is!
Not even going to mention the cystitis - ouch.
Ella has point blank refused to sleep in the tent - thank God for my brothers house, or we'd sleeping in the car.
Oh, Ella also has taken a liking to Grease. Now I love that film, and the music - but can I just say - 8 times in 5 days? and counting!!!!!
Broke something in the car so the Sat Nav doesn't work.
Mosquitos - little buggers - give you a clue - 7 bites on 1 hand. Grrrr.
Will that do for a first week? Jeff thinks I shouldn't be let out alone - I don't know what he means :) Right, off for a swim - managed 30 lengths yesterday :) Impressed? Good, not going to spoil it by saying how small the pool is LMAO!
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Highlights - Lovely weather; Jeff and the boys got to tour the Nou Camp; Spending time with Jeff; Nice site; Jeff threatening the window washers in Paris and them realising he was serious!
Downpoints: Delayed ferry cos of bad weather; Sat Nav deciding the quickest route was right through the heart of Paris!; Cystitis +++; Jeff deciding he doesn't like the beach - after booking a beach holiday; the gym on the site deciding Ben couldn't use it as he was too young, even though it wasn't written anywhere; attitude of the Spanish towards Ella.
Overall - Bliss to spend 10 days away from everything :)
More photos on Facebook as I cba to upload loads in 2 places!
Monday, August 02, 2010
- Went with Joy, Pat and Heather to see Eclipse. It was good to watch it with fellow fans - rather than Jeff who fell asleep!
- Collapsed in a heap after all the extra teaching - what a lightweight!! This is the girl who could work 50 hours a week with 3 children under 4. Or could party all night - and did ;)
- I assume I didn't get the job (last post) but do I want to be employed by people that work like that? I think not!
- Sat in as Presenting Officer at 10 appeals. Obv can't talk about it - but can be hardwork sometimes being a Governor.
- Jeff bought me these - my fav sweets - and luckily Ella hates them LOL
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Photo of Ella and Joy :)