There’s a thing

let’s start with something nice. This is a computer image drawn by our Jern of Henry. It’s brilliant, isn’t it?

It’s been a bit of a few days. But we’re making progress. Mum was very disoriented over the weekend and I almost drove to Colchester to make sure she was ok. in the end, via some lovely neighbours, we got a friend in and made sure she was safe. Anyhow, the outcome of this is (a little) against her wishes. We have upped her care to five days a week including a cleaner. It’s difficult, isn’t it? I have, with C’s support, been mum and dad’s go to person for years now, even when my brother was alive. It was just the way it fell. At every turn, getting support in has been a struggle with both of them arguing against it … and then both of them benefiting from the experience. Recently mum’s been chumpfing a little as she doesn’t know when the carers are coming in, or when they don’t help her in a way she thinks she should be helped. But they are my eyes and ears. In that respect they are essential.

As a proud woman, mum was particularly against having a cleaner. She says that she cleans the house and doubtless that is her intent. But she’s half-blind and we know that there’s so much more which can be done. Anyhow, after a couple of day’s of long carer exchanges and with a wonderful conversation with a Ghanaian cleaner from Colchester yesterday, we have a new system in place – where I have more control. Mum’s told me that she felt like she’d been reporting the headmaster, and I must work harder at being less instructive. But it’s done, I hope. (Oh, and the carers were concerned that I was being too directing, but without someone taking an overseeing role, it was impossible to know if they were meeting times and commitments, something mum was unclear on.) Oh well. Tis done.

I did ask myself if I was being particularly organised and efficient because I missed being responsible for other people? I don’t know. Maybe that’s the case. Oh well (again).

this is Mary in front of Ferret armoured car. I stick it here because I love Mary and I used to command a Ferret in a previous existence

We’re at Mary’s, which is nice. I’ve had a list of things to do, one of which was to replace Mary’s iPhone. Well, let me tell you. I hate Apple. We are Android/Google people. Apple is a mystery to me and, six hours after starting the switch, I was still no closer to getting onto Mary’s iCloud account to facilitate the switch. Never mind. I have got round the problem and now, as well as a new desk top computer, which I have sorted, she now has a working phone. Phew.

Bex’s route to us (she arrives tomorrow evening) has not been without issue. She had her pre-flight covid test yesterday At the same time she was asked for a ‘finger-prick’ to help test a new process. And … the test showed she has covid antibodies which, if it turned out to be the disease, would mean she would be whisked into government isolation for two weeks. No flight for Bex. Well, thankfully the actual test arrived this morning and she is in the clear. Thank goodness. Anyhow, the fun starts tomorrow.

my ‘I hate Apple’ face

And, here’s another thing. When I was a teacher I was responsible for, among other things, the cocurricular programme – and, specifically I ran the athletics/x-country programme and oversaw the CCF. Today I found out that two of ‘my girls’ have gone through Sandhurst (I knew of one of them). One of the girls has joined my old Regiment as a platoon commander … and the second has been offered an unconditional place along with her. How about that? Both girls are doing really well and I am so pleased for them.

The next time I write it will be Henry Time. I have absolutely no idea what that looks like. I’ll let you know.

Stay safe.