The British Homemaker - One day at a time

Life has been somewhat chaotic of late.  The biggest thing to deal with has been my moms cancer. Whilst she is now recovering and doing profoundly well I have to admit that it does still play in my mind of the usual thoughts 'what would I do without her?' So I've buried my head a little. As well as working away at the business to get it as established as I can. Then dealing with the arthritis. Plus remembering that I am a full time mom too. So in all, my attention hasn't been on this blog or the Facebook page but now I'm willing to try again to regain some momentum with it. So, I thought I'd share some tidbits of what has been created. I very much got into crocheting. We grew strawberries. Charley learned the chain stitch on one of our trips to the Midlands. We made sweet ice pops! Many, many boy camps! We made cake in a tin. I spent hours in the patio, reading and relaxing. Breakfast date. Charley an...

For as long as I can remember I've been easily able to count my blessings in the darkest of times through life, I learned that to be able to do this keeps challenges in perspective, no matter how hard they are. It's also healthy in many other ways to find a positive in a tough time, for one it keeps insanity at bay. I don't mind admitting that I still have tough times accepting my arthritis, how quickly its set in and all the ways it has robbed me of independance. Some days all I want to do is cry with sheer frustration and pain and while now and again I do give in to it, I do pick myself up and carry on. The alternative isn't an option and lets face it, it's not a condition that is terminal, it's just never going to go away so its a life long adjustment process. In 7 months I've gone from limping with knee pain, swelling and weakness to hold myself to being in a wheelchair. Lets talk about this a minute... Getting crutches was the difference between ...

I used to think about this blog all the time. Note everything I wanted to share, photo things just for blog purpose and even wake up at night with ideas. But I lost the will to keep it up. My readership stats are quite good but as all bloggers know, comments keep you spurred on. So I'm hit and miss with it all now, even though I am 'in talks' with someone to do a joint come back in November. Nothing is finalised yet though. However, here I am, chatting, again :) SJ, my puddy tat,  has the moves for my words. Chill. Relax. Enjoy. I'm not living a fast and furious lifestyle anymore. I don't work 50+ hours a week (probably around 30-34 now including the middle of the night sessions!) I don't race round making my house all spotless and magazine worthy, I don't have a to-do list that grows with daily must-do's. I also don't stay up till midnight making sure every inch of woodwork is shining. Nope, I do what I can each day, the Teen does her...

At the beginning of June I had every intention of doing Kairen's blog challenge through June. However, due to the decline in my Osteo/Rheumatoid Arthritis I have had to focus on things I can do. A few days ago I woke up and was totally unable to walk. This scared me. I was used to waking up unsure if I could walk for a few minutes till I could get going but not how it's been since. I use crutches all the time now, even round the house. I use different aids in the home and each day there is less and less I can do for myself. Needless to say I have been reduced to tears and frustration more than any other time in my life. The upside though, I finally have the Rheumatologists report and I have a phone consultation with my GP tomorrow to discuss his route for medical care and medication. The Rheumatologist was fantastic. I had the full check over, that day though I didn't have flare ups in my hands, feet or left leg so he's only ordered a MRI on my right leg for ...