Coughs & sneezes spread diseases

It's just as well the penicillin has kicked in and l'm feeling much better once again because things have certainly not slowed down this end and it's my turn to play nurse.

• My poor Hubby is barely sitting upright in his chair at work this afternoon, not from drink l might add, but from this chest cold wee S had last week. He has been surviving from one Lemsip to the next- faxing his colleagues rather than passing on germs in person. His voice has dropped a few octaves and he sounds very serious in an attractive Mr. Darcy sort of way. Lots of TLC for him when he gets home.

• Wee S was at the dentist (emergency visit) yesterday and had three of his milk teeth pulled- poor wean. Three abscesses above each tooth caused from trauma from his very worn down milk teeth- not from cavities. Two of the teeth were quite wobbly and ready to come out anyway and l don't think the dentist was taking chances with the last. S (age 6) was very brave and even sang a little tune as she pulled to the beat. Really.

Both wee S and l have been quite run down lately and our resistance seems lowered to infection. I just hope that this gum infection did not damage any of his permanent teeth.

In the photo above you can still see his swollen lip from the anaesthetic. It is the hardest thing for a mother to watch her child having these injections. Although wee S squeezed my hand tightly l was so proud that he kept such composure for a wee lad. Needless to say the Tooth Fairy visited during the night and left golden coins.

Things can only go up from here!

Reading Bug

S’s reading has really taken off! At the moment we’re working through the Horrid Henry series with him. Last night l was about to read to him when he clasped the book possessively against his chest and said, “No Mum, it’s ok, l can read this book with my eyes closed.” Eh? Daddy and l both ended up reading him a chapter after he did his bit which l might add was surprisingly good.

For a while now wee S and l have gone to the library on Mondays. His love of books has grown and he gets excited when he picks a good one to read. He now wants to read which is the best we could hope for. The picture is of wee S as a toddler – his hair sure took a long time coming in.

I can’t say that l was a big reader as a child, my brother was, but as an adult l have got the reading bug in a bad way which helps much when you’re stuck in the house with a nasty virus and can do little else. As for that, l’m back again on another dose of penicillin- a longer course of ten days this time rather than just the week. Hopefully this time it will do the trick. Wee S also has a sore throat with chesty cold- the doctor does not think it is the same infection (Scarletina) but put him on penicillin all the same. So it’s lots of reading for us both this weekend.

And below, just another picture of S for the heck of it. He's been busy this past hour doing Technic Lego with his Dad. Says he wants to be an Engineer like his big brother D.

Alphabet Ablution

It’s official. A new entry for my ‘mumzie all-time-low’ list. Last night l jumped into wee S’s left over bathwater full of foam alphabets ~ all two sets with additional numerals and empty Matey bottle for full visual effect. I could swear l read the word 'flump' on my thigh as l stretched down to soap my toes and in other hills and dales phrases like, ‘one more bite won’t hurt’ and ‘l’ll join that gym tomorrow”. Isn’t it funny how the mind plays tricks?

I mean it’s not as if l’ve never shared bath water before. As a kid l remember sharing a bath with my friend and her sister. Their mother systematically washing one face, then another, then another; then arms and legs and so on. Somehow we were always all finished at the same time and getting wrapped up in towels when the next three siblings would jump in for their turn. Begs the question, who had their bath before us?

Anyway, these were fun days- the best of childhood for me. I remember afterwards sitting with our backs turned towards the heat of the fireplace, the cosy glow and feet tucked in towels - a time of innocence and safety.

Not quite the same as 'shampoo wrestling' with phonic foams!

A clear out

The nurse called this morning to say l had a positive result for my strep throat swab- the infection that caused me getting ill in the first place. That’s good to know.

Anyway, I’m starting to feel much better - even did some early spring cleaning yesterday. I de-junked the little mudroom at the back of the house that doubles as laundry room. Why is it that these type of ‘back of the house’ rooms tend to mutate into the ideal dumping ground for things you don’t know where to put at the time- like a giant 3D junk drawer full of old lamp shades, recycled bottles and anything else you want to mention. Reorganising a room like this can be a cheap form of therapy (so l've been told) but you should be careful not to overdo it. If you find yourself uplifting flooring, updating plumbing or moving load bearing walls, you’ve probably gone too far. I have been known in these situations to ‘go too far’ but given that I’m still recuperating from a ghastly bug- l de-junked in moderation.

Yesterday was sunny everywhere else in the UK – sadly not on us. I’m not complaining though because it was dry and Hubby got a load of work done up in the back garden so we were able to take plenty to the dump between us. Later 'G' even lit a bonfire much to wee 'S's' delight.

Valentine's Day Quarantine

Still haven't got around to visiting yet as l came down with Scarlet Fever last week. I still feel utterly weary and have suffered with every symptom there is. Thankfully l am half way through my dose of penicillin so will be feeling back to normal again soon. I don't know what l'd do without my husband at the moment- he's been a real gem. Happy Valentine's Day Love!!

Thanks to all who left kind comments on the last post. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend with those you love.

The Clock Ticks

The tide recedes, but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand. The sun goes down, but gentle warmth still lingers on the land. The music stops, and yet it echoes on in sweet refrains...for every joy that passes, something beautiful remains.

These past few months have been difficult. Two very

dear relations passed away in December 2007 which left

a void that memories are slowly easing.

Hope you are all doing well.