Things I Know (with thanks to kebeni)

Things I know this week include:

• I know some incredible, marvellous people who are positive, creative and supportive. I even work with some of them.
• I really like kids. Its their parents that never cease to piss me off.
• My son is awesome. Even when he's a pain in the arse.
• I can learn alot from the journeys of others.
• My husband has patience.
• My cat has a mental deficiency. But he's still great.
• All things take time. And that's OK.
• No matter how many management courses you do, qualifications you have, or integrity you summon, there will always be people who try to shaft you. And not in a good way.

Things I think I know include:

• As I have not had a migraine for two weeks, and also not had a drink for two weeks, there may be some connection. I'm hoping not. And actually considering having a drink (and risking the migraine) just to prove myself wrong.

Things I don't know (and probably never will) include:

• How some people can operate from such a dishonest, cunning and selfish place, to the point where they clearly don't care about the impact on others.
• How some people can tell lies in the same way most of us use the truth.
• How some people will involve anyone in their manipulation in order to make a point.
• How some people don't believe that others are capable of this; even when they are in the middle of that behaviour and situation.

All in all, an informative week.

Reasons to be Cheerful Part 1

Its been a pretty miserable week in this house. S&H became unwell last Friday night, and after a weekend of vomit, high temperatures and lots of tears (mostly his), LSH and I developed symptoms on Sunday night. By Monday morning, both adults in the house were experiencing full on flu symptoms, with a child only just coming out of the worst.
I hate being sick. REALLY hate it. And I feel incredibly sorry for myself also.

I've been dwelling in a mire of body aches, head aches, temperature and nausea induced self pity for four days now. It reached a peak when I had to drag myself out of bed this afternoon to collect S&H from school. Poor poor me. Watch me suffer, world.

So, I decided to stop thinking about my own terrible misfortunes (yah, seriously) and instead think about all the stuff I should be really greatful for. Like, next week this flu will have gone, right?

Lovely daffodils in the garden, reminding us that winter is only a state of mind...

Grumpy cat, who despite his "Dont give a Feck" exterior, has not left me alone for the last four days (he hates it when any of us is sick or upset)...

Lovely boy and wonderful places; lots to see and do and experience, things to come....

Batman, aka LSH, who even thought he felt as shite as me the last few days, got up to look after S&H so I could stay in bed. Bless.

Henry Rollins. Just because.

No more for me, thanks....

Having read some stuff lately written by parents of large families, I decided to write about the joys and tribulations of having just the one. I am an only child, as is LSH. And guess what? S&H is one too. Strange? Maybe. But no stranger in my mind than those people who feel compelled to have large families. So here we go...

Things that a parent of an only child knows:

Your child knows how to share.

Your child does not have to be "spoilt". Just because there's one, the answer doesn't always have to be YES.

Your child gets lonely sometimes. We all do.

There is always be time for talking. Lots of time.

You take a lot of photos.

Your child probably eats most things, because he has always had to.

You only ever have to buy one Nintendo, or Wii, or Xbox. Or, you might never buy one.

You will never be accused of providing hand me down clothes. Even when you do get them from friends and second hand shops (Unseen = Unknown).

You only have to pay one lot of school fees, scout dues, guitar lesson fees, swimming fees or judo lesson accounts. Or, none at all.

A child is completely capable of entertaining themself. Being bored is being boring.

You are able to travel as a family further, sooner.

You can keep the sportscar you bought before you got married. In three years, you can take your child for a drive (and he will love it!)

Other families assume (wrongly) that your child is lonely and invite him around to play, lots. 

Sleepovers with other kids are awesome.

Family ticket prices are a con.

You stress more about the little things because you want to get it absolutely right.

You hear yourself being repeated at least once a week from the time he can talk. And you laugh and are mortified all at the same time.

You wonder constantly how your child compares to others, from teething to reading to career path.

You over analyze, stress, get anxious and obsessive about things other parents take in their stride. But you're ok with that.

You wonder how it's possible to love another human being quite this much.

You are constantly asked, are you planning for another? And be given a range of looks from puzzled to pity when you say, no more for me, thanks.