dottyspots

I’ve finally posted THE letter (recorded delivery) to the LEA telling them how disappointed I am that they seem to be of the opinion that the lovely report I sent them, which they acknowledged was interesting and appeared challenging, etc, etc. is lies - despite the fact that the previous LEA we were under were satisfied that education is taking place, etc. I’ve helpfully pointed out various bits of law, have also resent the original report and will now have to await their reply.

Call me cynical, but I’m not particularly hopeful - they have been nothing short of bullying with other local families and do not seem to even bother to read any literature we’ve sent re. the law as it pertains to HE.

Ho hum. Time will tell.

We’re having a break this week as now I’ve one back at school it’d be nigh on impossible to get R. to sit down and do anything - although the trip to the library today furnished him with various books on history which he’s joyfully flicked through (although he’s now upstairs apparently ‘tidying’ his room).

I finally got into town (it has been quite some time since I last ventured in). I needed to buy a couple of un-underwired bras (slap my wrists for still wearing them this far on into pg. as I know it’s not ideal), some pants that fit and socks; a raincover for Nin’s buggy (which I couldn’t ignore today as it poured down for part of the time we were out); a lunch box for Erk and some children-sized coat hangers. I also treated myself to a pair of boots (not quite knee high) that were on offer in Evans - I have very wide calves, even when a few sizes smaller, and struggle to find boots to fit - and a beautiful long cardigan that should fit over my bump. I also picked up a couple of tops for a few pounds in Primark. It was a necessary splurge though as I’ve been spending much of my time pulling my tops down to stretch over as usually the couple of tops I own that are long enough are always in the wash when I need to go anywhere.

So I’ve come home feeling reasonably cheerful, but pretty shattered.

Anyway, I best get on and get the rest of shopping ordered as it’s Nin’s birthday on Thursday and I need to get a few things done tomorrow.

Still feeling a bit ropey - but it appears I’m in for painful Braxton Hicks from now on (joy!) I have a low blood count and the doctor has prescribed me 600mcg of iron a day (?!) which I think, if nothing else, is enough to guarantee constipation in anyone, let alone a pg. woman who might be more prone to it anyway - guess who had a discussion about iron with the M/W today that went along the lines of, “I will not be taking that much iron in supplements a day.” The b/c is 10.something-or-other, I think if I up my iron intake from iron rich foods and make sure I wash it down with some orange juice (or similar) I should be fine - after all, I am pregnant which does tend to suggest a naturally lower blood count anyway. (I don’t like guiness - before someone else suggests it - in many ways I would rather drink my own wee

This was posted on the EO list in response to a discussion about creationism vs. evolution - it’s quick to load (which is a bonus when you’re on dial-up like me).

At Thursday’s group we made lanterns:

Which look lovely all lit up.

A picture of the kids.

If anyone didn’t believe me when I said that Nin always helps do the cleaning!

With everything that’s been going on I forgot to mention the Home Ed. Handcrafts Team Blog which a few of us from Muddle Puddle are contributing to.

R. is really keen to get on to the Epic of Gilgamesh (as he got the book, along with others, for his birthday). At the moment we’re reading Wolf Brother, which I would heartedly recommend for children who aren’t too easily upset (or possibly just older children, bearing in mind the boys are 9 and 11). We’re all really enjoying it.

I’ve been busy making soup out of surplus butternut squash and plan to turn what tomatoes are left (whether ripe or no) into tomato relish tomorrow. Also on the cards is piccalilli - maybe of Friday - because it beats anything you can buy in the shop hands down. It looks like we need a bit of a baking session tomorrow to use up some eggs too!

R. has spent the day reading about algae and then staring into next-door’s pond (which has had a heron visiting it), followed by more Norwegian practice (he tried the next CD and got annoyed because the recordings were in sentences, so a bit more challenging). He’s hoping to buy some nice Lyra pencils when I next put in an order for the group.

Anyway, I’d better get on as my belly is a bit achey.

I’ve been really swollen and itching an incredible amount (I’ve taken the skin off the top of my foot), so I phoned the midwife and was told to come in that afternoon for bloodtests. The midwife has sent a test off for Obstetric Cholestasis which is apparently rather serious - however, I could just be itching due to hormones, so I’ve been given some piriton to see if that helps a little (so no driving, operating heavy machinery or drinking alcohol for me then - not that I ever really do any of those things anyway . Still, it’s not a pleasant wait for the test results.

In addition, everytime I walk anywhere I getting contractions - and they’re painful too Considering I had steroid jabs and spent some time in hospital when pg. with Nin, I’m not too happy ’bout that either. It could be due to an infection (which is what set off the prem. labour last time apparently), so I’m keeping an eye on it but am back to see the midwife on Monday.

So generally feeling a bit urrrrrgh and puffy and hoping those bloody test results come back sooner rather than later.

It’s not that I’m at a loss really for something to write, just that I’m rather peed off, so anything I did write would be a long and probably fairly meaningless rant…….

So, instead I typed out my current playlist:

An Honest Mistake – The Bravery
You’re Gonna Miss Me – 13th Floor Elevators
Highly Evolved – The Vines
Hate To Say I Told You So – Hives
Once Around The Block – Badly Drawn Boy
Hateful – The Clash
Just One Look – Doris Troy
Hazy Shade of Winter – The Bangles
Devil in Me – 22-20s
Hanging On The Telephone – Blondie
Who Was In My Room – Butthole Surfers
What Do I Get? – Buzzcocks
Her Love Rubbed Off – Carl Perkins
A Little Respect – Wheatus
The Only One I Know – The Charlatans
I’m Finding It Harder To Be A Gentleman – White Stripes
Garbage Man – The Cramps
She Sells Sanctuary – The Cult
Ziggy Stardust – David Bowie
Holiday in Cambodia – Dead Kennedys
Love What You Do – The Divine Comedy
Dinosaurs – The Stingrays
Add It Up – Violent Femmes
Too Drunk to F*** - Dead Kennedys
Somebody to Love – Jefferson Airplane
Everyday I Love You Less & Less – Kaiser Chiefs
Shoot Forth Thunder – The Grips
Oliver’s Army – Elvis Costello
Untutored Youth – Hives
A Song for the Lovers – Richard Ashcroft
Town Called Malice – The Jam
World Shut Your Mouth – Julian Cope
Suspect Device – Stiff Little Fingers
The Puppet – The Stingrays
Search & Destroy – Iggy & the Stooges
Every Day Hurts – Sad Café
Hounds of Love – Kate Bush
Up the Bracket – The Libertines
Fell In Love With A Girl – White Stripes
Seven & Seven Is – Love
Alive & Amplified – The Mooney Suzuki
Day We Caught The Train – Ocean Colour Scene
Territorial Pissings – Nirvana
Getting Better – Shed Seven
Paint It Black – The Rolling Stones
Come On Kid – The Stingrays
She Bangs The Drums – The Stone Roses
Richard III – Supergrass
It Came From Japan – The Von Bondies
Trick Bag - Artesians

Because it is looking a bit bare on here!

A quick pic of us (Nin hiding my ever expanding belly)

Proving that Nin can fall asleep anywhere, even on my feet!