Sari Time

I spent the first part of this week in Romsey staying with my Dad and step-mother. Dad has Parkinson's and life at home is getting difficult for them both. The house is a bit chaotic and after Dad had a fall last week, my middle sister dropped everything and went to stay and to help. She took her laptop and hoped to be able to do some work while there but there was just no free time. Someone needs to keep an eye out all the time in case Dad fell and so there was no time she wasn't either helping or sleeping! What a star!
The spare bedroom is inaccessible as lots of stuff was being stored there, so we are used to sleeping on a lilo when we go down. F was there until Saturday and I arrived on Friday evenig and stayed in a hotel until next day when F went home. I cancelled my half term plans of going up to stay with younger sister J in Leeds and stayed in Romsey till today. I spent Monday getting the TV aerial on their roof fixed by someone before it fell down on next doors roof!
The real job then began of trying to find some respite in a nursing home for dad for 2 weeks to give H a rest. Dad is not too happy and nor are we, but I think it was essential to give them both a time to rest and take stock. I managed to find a place to my relief, but it all seemed to happen too quickly for any of us. He moved in on Tuesday, not a very nice room which is probably why it is available for short term respite, however the Matron of the home is nice and it seemed like a good place, no bad smells or bored looking residents. Had a good report from the English version of the Care Commission, so that's a good thing and the local reputation seems to be good. They even lent H a zimmer as Dad has him with him and she had been using it too at home. Lots of money a week in case you wondered, self funding but they will be entitled to a refund of £103 NHS nursing costs. Not a pleasant thought if it has to be used long term.
Horrible horrible horrible thought to see our Dad needing care and not being able to do it ourselves.
I spent Monday evening trying to get the spare room at Dad's sorted so one of the beds is now available in case they need a carer to stay over or for one of us next time we go down... I'm getting too old for a lilo, it's an awful long way back up although getting down is ok!
I came up via Leeds to Aberdeen today for a couple of days with C before home again and ready for inservice at work on Monday. The plane did a very bouncy landing at Leeds/Bradford airport having threatened not to stop there at all as the weather was so bad! Skidded on landing from the bounce which was jolly excited, the stewardess then came along with her "Ladies and Gentleman as you have probably realised we have just landed at Leeds Bradford airport!" She and everyone else burst out laughing. poor pilot. Aberdeen was much more gentle but raining!

For a long time I have had goldfish who lived in a baby bath sunk into the back garden, but have hankered for a real pond for ages. With one thing and another though it kept being put off... however... At the weekend we spoke with the chap who fixed our garden fence and arranged for him to come and dig one for us on Monday,on Monday though it snowed and how.... so eh went skiing instead as one does. On Tuesday though eh got stuck in and within the space of a day, we had a pond. I've not moved my fish yet, and yes they do survive the winter in a baby bath. So here it is in all its glory. Mind you it has frozen over now and has a layer of snow over the top of it.

I said I'd show you what my class team gave me when I ceased to be a classroom teacher and became non-teaching Depute Head last month so here it is. I have had, for a number of years, a mug which said 'Top Teacher' so in their wisdom they decided as I was no longer teaching I wouldn't need it any longer.... so took a hammer to it! They then made the pieces into a wall hanging,and watched my reaction, with more than a little trepidation as I opened my gift! They needn't have worried though,I have had it framed and it hangs in pride of place in my new office... They did buy me a new mug I might add, which sums things up succinctly but gives me rather a lot to live up to!

My new mug sits on a shelf in my office, alongside:

• another mug which was a gift from my predecessor for use during long meetings which says quite simply... I'd rather be eating chocolate 
• and the two... not one, but two please note... flashing LED ducks which again, not one but two, of my friends decided were ideal christmas presents for me!
• a huge range of HMIE and LTS and Scottish Government publications which are currently providing me with more than a little, not very light, bedtime reading.
• In common with my friend Ruth, I was up at dawn yesterday morning, not really so very early as it was around 8 am to be greeted with the most amazing range of colours in the sky, my photographic offerings are below. It put me in mind of that hymn we used to sing at school...

  "The morning bright with rosy light has waked me up from sleep...."

  The camera just doesn't do it justice!