Well, OK, technically I think it is still Summer, but the School holidays are over at least. Where’s it gone? Seems only a few days ago that Heather came home with loads of presents from the kids and other piles of crap. And now it’s all over, she’s back to work, I’m back to stressing that I can’t cope with doing everything, Samuel’s confused and can’t understand where Mummy’s gone again – even though he waves and shouts goodbye for the entirety of (at least) the last half mile to school.
I had plans to update the blog – both by posting and tidying it up generally – through the Summer, but (as you probably know) that’s not happened. I blame most of it on BT/TalkTalk/Orange/Sky… see the long rant posted a few weeks ago to check the details on that one. The good news now, though, is that we have a working landline phone once more (with a new number – email if you not got it – though still no idea who we should be paying for calls ‘cos BT ain’t charging us for them and don’t know who they are being routed by!), a working broadband connection (not the 16MB advertised, but usually somewhere between 9 and 11MB on a good day… and 3-6 the rest of the time!), a new VOIP phone line for any work-related calls etc, and a rewired network.
Have acquired other new things in the Summer too. We’ve got most of Samuel’s Christmas presents already thanks to Boots clearance sale and a couple of boot sales (must do one ourselves to clear space for the new stuff). I’ve managed to get a new bank account with Co-op to stop Nationwide nicking my benefits, though am still pursuing that with them – they’ve so misread the Social Security Administration Act and are talking utter rubbish… just got to make them see that or get a judge to help them! We’re the proud owners of a 4-man tent and have had our first family camping holiday – almost disaster-free but will be sharing more about that in ‘Diary of a Disabled Dad‘. Oh, and a nice new dent in the car, together with a touch of whiplash. Grrrrr…
Other than the hit-and-run crash, though, the Summer’s been great despite the speed at which it has gone. It was great to spend a few days with my Aunt in Devizes, and to see my Dad and Stepmum while we were camping. Samuel got to see them all too, but I think his highlight was seeing Noddy, Fifi, Rupert, Little Princess, Bob, etc all at once at Butlins. Don’t get me started on Butlins right now though – got to write a strong letter to them, and probably then to the DRC and HSE too. Worst disabled access and safety I’ve ever come across.
The next few weeks are likely to be relatively busy still. I’ve got a string of Mystery Shop assignments at the moment (will post more about that separately), have to get the car sorted, and now that the new Phoenix catalogues are available, with the wonderful Christmas range of cards, wrap, etc it’s time for a mailing, phone calls, and trying to book a few parties. I’ve got another hospital appointment this week, too, which I’m really not looking forward to. If I’m lucky they won’t do anything other than chat and ask a few questions (rarely do very much about anything else IME) though there is a possibility that they may stick a long tube somewhere I’d rather they didn’t.
On that note, I’ll sign off for now and go take some more tablets – they’ve been changed now too, and I’ve hardly slept all Summer
I’m planning on getting a few more entries written now, which will appear over the next few days so feel free to drop by often and check, or sign up to get updates. That reminds me – must look into that side of things properly too. If you want to receive notification of new posts and can’t work out how, drop me an email and I’ll hopefully have worked it out by then myself.
Have fun and stay happy, and remember…
blowing out the other person’s candle won’t make yours shine any brighter