Chicken Pox

It's only Wednesday? Are you serious? Boy oh boy, what a painfully slow week! Made even more painful by a broken washing machine, one boy with chicken pox and rainy days!

So I got 3 loads of washing done at my mum's yesterday which was such a help so I feel more on top of that now. But the list of jobs just keeps getting longer and longer as each day goes by and I still can't get much done, apart from cook dinner, because of a poorly Asher who wants cuddles and love! I don't mind the cuddles and love, I LOVE the cuddles and love, but it's just no good when the floors keep gaining another layer of grease and grime each day, and the vacuuming can't get done, and the bathrooms are filthy and the toys are everywhere. Well I just don't bother putting the toys away anymore. I used to put them away at the end of the day, but while they have been ill and i've been so exhausted, i've just left them out. They'll only get them out again first thing in the morning!!!

But today I have to get into action. I can't have people over for bible class tomorrow night and the house be in this state. At least I don't have to go out in the rain to go shopping, we have cupboards full of food thanks to Tesco home delivery! So where should I start? Might be a good idea to mop those floors and clean the toilets! Hmmmm, such appealing jobs.

On the plus side, Isaac just willingly got the potty, sat on it and did a big poo! and a wee! Maybe it's time to start potty training. It's one of those things I am just not ready to start yet though, because once you start you gotta be commited! Am I ready for accidents and poo on the floor again!?!? Maybe I'll wait til the washing machine is fixed or we've bought a new one (most likely) or maybe once the spring comes and it's warmer weather then I can just let him run wild in the garden with the potty!

But enough of the dreary stuff, there's still so much I am thankful for and I gotta remember that! We are all well again since the AWFUL flu that hit our home a few weeks ago. It's so nice to have Isaac back being his cute happy self. Apart from the chicken pox, which will inevitably hit Isaac next (poor thing) we are doing good and I am much less fatigued this week. I have news from my consultant that he should be able to operate late March early April, which is not too far away and I am thankful, ready to get that over and done with.

Time to get some lunch made, and that means nap time is in sight! Good job because Isaac is getting cranky. Not surprised as he was up at 6:30am!

Leftovers

Well Monday morning has come round again and unfortunately so have the viruses! I've woken up totally full of cold again and feeling rough. Thank goodness it's half term and no school run, and as 5 o clock approaches, thank goodness for leftovers!

Yesterday we had a massive roast capon with roast potatoes, parsnips, squash, carrots, stuffing, sprouts and peas. It was delicious. We boiled the bones last night and made a big tub of stock, and there was also tons of chicken and veg leftover. So when I looked in the fridge wondering what to make for dinner today I was so thankful to have all this food left over. I took a roll of pastry out of the freezer to thaw out. I usually make my own pastry but when you're not feeling well it's so nice to have a back-up roll ready made.

So today's meal was easy peasy and cost nothing! I began by making a sauce by melting 3oz margarine in a saucepan and once melted added 3oz flour. This turned into a paste so I straight away added 2 cups of the stock that we made last night. This thickened nicely, and then I added 1 cup milk (oat milk as we're non-dairy). To this I added some fried onions, and then all of the chopped up carrots, peas, chicken, potatoes, squash, parsnips, and even the sprouts! I mixed it all up, added some salt and pepper and poured it into a rectangle pirex dish. I put the rolled out pastry on the top, and popped the pie in the oven where it is now cooking and the kitchen smells good!

Only half an hour to go until Pete gets home God willing, and oh I can't wait!!! Now I collapse on the sofa!

Wednesday

So one week on and the germs have nearly left the house, but not quite! It's been a tough and exhausting week of getting barely anything done, relying on oven cooked food for mealtimes, accepting the mess and too much TV! I am much better now, just left quite lethargic, but am slowly getting back on top of the washing, cleaning and meal planning! Isaac is still suffering, but improving slowly. His fever is not so frequent now and he' started to eat a few cheerios a day which is a good sign, but the poor lamb is still weak and restless and just wants to be held. We've read a LOT of stories in the last few days!

I am always trying to find lessons from everyday experiences like these. I like to think there is always something we can learn or take from a difficult day or week, so it doesn't feel quite so wasted. I have definitely felt God's love and Grace again in this week of illness. God is all knowing and all powerful. He knows the end from the beginning and it is in the everyday miracles that this is really confirmed for me. Being a mother in itself is challenging and tiring, but being an ill mum is almost impossible! God knew how ill I was going to get last week, to the point where I couldn't even get out of bed or sit up. Nancy extended her ticket 2 days before I got ill, meaning she was here to help with the kids and cook and clean and look after me. THANK YOU GOD. My mum came over on the Wednesday and picked up Asher from nursery, another blessing because I was still in no state to get out of bed, let alone out of the house! Then on the Friday when Nancy was spending the day with Sarah, Pete's shift was changed for no reason which meant he had the day off. Once again God knew. Then on the Saturday when Pete was back at work local friends helped me out by having Asher a few times in the day allowing Isaac (who by this time was ill) and myself to sleep. These things really show me that God was truthful when he said he would not let us be tested beyond what we can bear. (1 Cor 10v13). His promises to love us and protect us are really seen when he helps us through challenging experiences, even the smaller things like these.

So as the week of illness draws to an end and a new week begins I am feeling encouraged and close to God, thankful and blessed to be on the mend. I am hoping lots of Vit C, zinc and echinacha, healthy eating and gallons of water will get me back on track! Now I am off to check on Isaac who is sleeping, best thing for him, play with Asher and peel some potatoes! Sausages and mash tonight with lots of steamed veg! Still keeping the meals simple so not to get too tired out, but nutritious! Bye for now! x

Sick day

Today I'm finding it really hard to let go. As I lie here in bed burning in a pool of sweat, it's really hard not to be in control. I don't know what's going on downstairs, if the boys have eaten, if the house is clean, what's for dinner. Good job I have limited hearing because I can't hear a thing so I don't need to know if anyone is crying or tantruming! It's really hard being ill as a mum though isn't it? Well if this was a normal day i'd be really stuck because I don't think I could even stand up without falling over, but thankfully Pete's off work and Nancy is here to help take care of things so I am able to stay here quarantined to my room while they pick up the pieces. I'm hoping that I can cook this flu and it will be gone by the morning, but already I am lying here anxious about whether I am going to be able to manage tomorrow.

I am bored as heck, but exhausted. I wan't to sleep, but my head is pounding and I'm too uncomfortable. I don't want to moan to anyone and seem like a bad patient, but at least I can moan on here! I will definitely need to change the bed-sheets by the end of the day! It's a beautiful day outside, I really feel like i'm missing out. The curtains are open so at least I can see the sunshine. I might try and sleep now, or read or watch call the midwife on iplayer...