Vital statistics

 My mum is about to enter her fourth week in hospital, I am learning that I have to advocate for her, confirm and re-confirm everything I am told, phone nurses, ask to have doctors ring me and then call and ask again. 

I am taking Dad to see her many days of the week as he no longer wants to drive. He wants to talk to every random person: in the lifts, in the corridors, at the reception desk. And he wants to call the nurses for everything including alarms that are beeping in other rooms.

I am informing the family of whats happening.

I am trying to keep my head above water at work. Where we were three, now I am one.

If I hadn't had my ankle surgery four years ago and if I hadn't started sleep apnea treatment one year ago, I would never have coped with this train wreck.

The universe seems to have ordered things in my favour.

I miss you all and while some blogging might be just the therapy I need, most days I'm too overwhelmed to open the lap top.

Please don't pity me but do send your best wishes.

xox

Tom the Butcher

On New Years Eve, I was home alone and wanting to do something different so I dyed my hair pink. A couple of days later I was at the butchers and the butcher said to me "You're looking *teeny pause* very original today" In the same moment that I smiled and said "Thanks!" I realised it maybe wasn't meant entirely as a compliment.

"Will it last all year?"

I assured him I am much too lazy for it to last much more than a week.

I handed him his money and as he gave me change, he clasped my hand with both of his and wished me a Happy New Year.

And for just that brief moment I felt oddly cherished by an almost stranger.

The photo is over a year old and my haircut is different now but this is the colour.

Elephants in Blankets

You thought I was going to talk about food, right? You were going down the path of pigs in blankets .....

Or you might have been.

A video popped up on my Instagram today and it was a post from a sanctuary, thanking people for sending blankets.

Somehow I really doubt that elephants neeeed blankets but here they are, looking all cosy and colourful and loved.

I thought it was a nice way to finish the year