So bizarre !

canary

Registered User
Feb 25, 2014
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South coast
I wonder if Mr Mac is available on loan...?
Mitts off. I asked first
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Ann Mac

Registered User
Oct 17, 2013
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Lol, everyone! I never thought how odd it would sound, referring to the gym ball to build a pizza oven :D JM - you have it right! OH used it as a sort of mould - and he even incorporated the chimney flue that came crashing down into our garden during that awful storm a few weeks ago - that has made for a great chimney on the oven. Talk about waste not, want not!

So - you start off with a wooden base, with a hole cut out that the gym ball rests in.

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You add (in OH's case) a plastic container of some sort that forms the opening for the oven - and cover the whole lot in cling film
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Then you start to build the shell around it, using chicken wire to strengthen it

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And then you add the 'chimney', and it goes through a drying process, which includes lighting small fires inside it, to 'fireproof' it - its a lot further along than this now, but these are the only pics so far :)

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And that is how you apparently make a pizza oven - Mr Mac stylee :D

@canary - shhhhhhhhhhh - no, not a brick build barbie, a bought one - but please don't give him any ideas! And ladies, you can borrow him, of course - just as soon as he has finished helping me sort the rest of the house (and the pizza oven and his outdoor kitchen, too :D )
 
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CandyCrushed

New member
Apr 6, 2019
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That's absolutely ingenious Ann - well done Mr Mac.

I enjoyed listening to the birds with Mum and Stepdad In their back garden yesterday, after bringing round their shopping. It wasn't very restful though - your thread title "So Bizarre" was what first brought me here.

Poor Mum has an abscess 'down under', and a nurse from the local surgery had been to check up after antibiotics were prescribed by the doctor last Friday.
Mum wouldn't allow her to examine the sore place apparently, so with issues of 'consent' etc...... She'd gone on her way, leaving Stepdad with two sterile packs of gauze. :(

He had no idea what he was supposed to do with that.
I had no 'luck' in persuading her to let me to have a look either.

Stepdad resists any help, support, respite, cleaning, caring.
If I'm not very, very diplomatic - any and all suggestions or offers from me are taken as interference.

I NEVER had a good relationship with my mother (left home at 17)..... further compounded when she 'ran off' with Stepdad and his younger children over 30 years ago.
I had 5 children, and one part of me thinks, well she never helped me (although that's not strictly true, it is almost),
The other part of me is absolutely wracked with guilt.
But they're really struggling now.
She doesn't know that I'm her daughter, if she did I'd probably be even less welcome.

I guess that like so many experiences I've read about on TP, that it will only be a crisis that changes things.

Many hugs to all.
Candy x
 

jugglingmum

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Jan 5, 2014
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Chester
Hi @CandyCrushed welcome to TP.

Hope getting things off your chest has helped.

I did have to smile at leaving your step dad with 2 packs of sterile gauze, you do have to wonder at health professionals sometimes.

I'm afraid 5 children made me shudder, coping with 2 teenagers is a struggle for me at the moment. Son is being a bit of a nightmare and we have first A level for dau on Monday.

I did have a good relationship with my mum and I think it does make it easier, although there was a lot of what I now think was dementia behaviour which was nasty and critical to me in the years before crisis which I have found hard to get past.

Keep posting, as it helps all of us to muddle along.
 

Ann Mac

Registered User
Oct 17, 2013
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Morning all,

Poor you Juggles, if son is also going through the teen strops :( I still strugle dealing with just youngest - and no way could I have coped with 5 kids, like Candy! 3 kids - with a big gap between numbers 2 and 3 - have been quite enough for me. Youngest headed off with her mates for her 18th birthday 'night out' last night - heard her coming in after midnight, this morning have found her clothes strewn across the bathroom - but no sign of her being ill, so I am hoping that she didn't over do it - especially as she has theatre rehearsals today, that she can't miss, as its only a month now until they all perform at The Royal Albert Hall. And she STILL hasn't done the uni application.

Good luck to your dau for the exam on Monday - have fingers and toes crossed, but she is so clever, I bet she breezes through it (despite all the pre-exam angst) xxxx

Like JM, I had to grin at the nurse just leaving the gauze. Too many health professionals just don't have a clue, Candy! I remember Mil having a bad skin tear on her leg, and me trying to explain to the District Nurse that just one spare dressing wouldn't be enough, as Mil would remove it repeatedly. The DN then proceded to explain very carefully to Mil why she shouldn't remove the dressing, Mil (of course) agreed that she wouldn't, and the DN then gave me a satisfied nod, as if to say 'There you are - sorted'. 5 minutes later, as we left the surgery, Mil was convinced we had just been shopping . . .

I didn't have a good relationship with my Mum either, Candy - mine 'ran away' with another man when I was about 7, I think, leaving myself and my two younger sisters. To this day, I have no idea why she eventually came back, and persuaded my Dad to allow us to go back and live with her (and our new half sister and brother, & step-dad), because the only person she really cared for was herself. I spent a lot of years, at her beck and call, being lied to, insulted and dealing with so much for her, whilst one by one, my sisters all cut off contact with her. She made my life hell, when Mil came to live with us, because she was so jealous and angry that I was caring for Mil. She felt I should be available to just care for her, and even though she didn't need care as Mil did, my step dad later told me that she had 'never got over' me allowing Mil to live with us. After Mil moved in, she actually lied to me about her cancer returning, claiming also that she had dementia and then - when I found out that was a lie - that she had a brain tumor (also a lie), and all just for attention. The last two years of her life, I finally cut off contact too (primarily because she started to be as horrible to my kids as she often was to me). Looking back, I am really sad that I had to do that, but I neither regret it, nor do I feel guilty. I accepted that there was nothing I could do to help her, or improve the way she treated me, and that being the case, I had no choice but to put my kids, OH and Mil first. I take my hat off to you, because I couldn't have been there for her, as you are for your Mum now, despite your relationship with your Mum being so poor. It takes some strength of character to be able to put aside the bad stuff and step up to the plate like that xxx

I hate to say it, but you are right about it probably taking a crisis to force a change in your Mum and Step dads circumstances. As you say, thats the case for so many of us on TP, and without Step-dads agreement and adequate support from the so called support services, there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.

Another manic week in work. Usually, this time of year, I'm contacting different organisations, and asking them if they want to book me for projects with their young people for the next academic year. Not this year though - for the first time ever, they have all been the ones contacting me, and I am having to say no, and put groups onto a waiting list! In fact, I've been asked to take on so much, that at least one, and possibly two projects are going to be passed over to a new member of staff, who is doing my job in the Conwy area. I even have 3 projects booked for the Summer break - thats a normally 'quiet' time of year for me, as most of the colleges are closed, and I've never managed to run more than one project then. This year is very different, so I am currently putting the plans for projects together, booking workshops and setting up sessions for my groups to get involved with voluntary work with other charities in the area. However, I have stuck to my guns - I've limited the number of projects I will run at any one time, I've decided on what 4 days I will work so I'm not taking on any work for a Friday (which is going to be my regular day off) and I won't be working over my hours.

Mil is fine - absolutely nothing new to report. We didn't manage to get there at meal times in the last week, I'll have to manage my time better for the coming visits, so I can keep an eye on the food situation. No attempts at violence for either of us, when we have seen her - and she is happier if we breeze in for just 30 minutes or so, then breeze out and leave her. She tends to pay more attention to her dolls and toys now, croons to them and rocks them in her arms - it's as though they are the most important thing in her world - but as long as she is content and agitation free, then that is fine by us. I can't put into words how good it is, seeing her so calm and knowing that she is free of the misery of upsetting delusions and paranoia at the moment.

Quiet weekend planned - just 'pootling along' - OH is to be nagged to put up the new bathroom shelves (he'll have to tear himself away from the pizza oven and garden kitchen!), and once thats done, and the house tidy, I plan to chill!

Edited to add, youngest has just come downstairs for a drink. She says she feels fine, just tired, she had a brilliant night and she is definitely going to her rehearsal later - so thankfully, it seems like she was sensible last night!

Sending much love to everyone - @Spamar and @Slugsta , hope all is OK with you guys xxxxx
 

jugglingmum

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Jan 5, 2014
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Chester
Just popping on to say I have fingers crossed. As a Spurs fan living on the Wirral and working in Liverpool I am very much in the minority to be supporting Spurs.

In other news mum seemed a bit more with it the last couple of times I've seen her but back to where she was. I was phoned by carer to tell me she was low on food and as carer was talking mum was going yabber yabber yabber, like a toddler would. She then started pressing her pendant to try and get the carers attention. At least she knows how to press her pendant :eek::rolleyes:

Think kids will find it very hard work to have her round, but won't try it until A levels are done. Half term so stress levels moderate - ie we can manage to spot when dau is about to explode most of the time. 4 exams mon to thur won't be so good. First 2 exams before half term went well.
 

Lyd

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May 27, 2019
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On Monday she came to our house very distressed. She went to give the little girl her tablets and cant find her (that took 2 hours). The week before she told the neighbour she had broken up the pieces of the baby in the garden and was waiting for her son to put it in the bin (fortunately while pointing to a pile of branches). I much prefered last month when she thought shed won 10k on a TV quiz program.
 

Spamar

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Oct 5, 2013
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Suffolk
Hi everybody, well, I’m really glad I haven’t got children! Really don’t know how I would cope. I think you all deserve ***** at least!

I was meant to be going away for a couple of days this past week. I sorted, packed, put all the bits I wanted into the car..........but I couldn’t get around to believing I could drive there. And I didn’t go. As you can imagine, lot of soul searching and angst!
Trying to get my mind around getting it all sorted. I just didn’t imagine that I could still be having problems nearly 4 years after OH died.

Meanwhile I have a small group of people who ‘look after me’ and make sure I’m as well as can be. And I know every coffee shop in the area!
Though tomorrow two of us are going to what I think is the best hotel in my nearby coastal town! Her choice,

Hope exams go well for those involved! And mothers cope with said offspring! I’m sure things will go very well for everyone. Ann, I didn’t apply until well after the due date. My interview was the day that offers had gone out to those who had applied in the normal way! And see how well I did!

Really hot day today, was glad when some cloud came over mid afternoon!

Look after yourselves.
 

2jays

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Jun 4, 2010
11,598
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West Midlands
From a spurs household, what can I say about that penalty apart from, I guess, rules are rules which, in my opinion, were cynically exploited by a member of the other team... got to give them their due, they were quick thinking, I guess...

Oh well the dream was was there to be had, not happened since forever ago.... and we played better than other team, not that either team were on their top game I don’t think, possibly due to the hot weather....

I could go on, but I won’t :)

Ok juggles, so you’ve got the daughters stress levels relatively under control, as much as you can.... how about yours :D glad to hear first lot before half term went well, I’m sure the next lot will do so as well, stress levels willing :)

Glad, if that’s the word, to hear that mum seems to be back to where she was xxxx

spamar I’m sorry that you couldn’t fulfil your travels, but I think I have an idea of how you feel. It’s 2 1/2 years since mum died and for some reason, almost suddenly, I am in a very strange place of not having confidence, of finding things outside of the house a challenge, of getting leaky eyes at the drop of a hat for no apparent reason, and thinking of mum.

I’ve started to read my old thread, which strangely is mostly helping my confidence in a bizarre way... but it’s the missing of mum I find strange, and strange isn’t the right word, but can’t find a better one. It’s the feeling of a sad “oh I wish” certain things could have been different then and now. Not that I don’t think I would necessarily change anything that happened, they were what they were, and situations now are what they are, and for it to be any other way, maybe I would be wanting them to be the way they are now, if that makes sense... as you can possibly see, I’m in “confused.com” land

Hoping all is well with everyone, as well as it can be xxx
 

jugglingmum

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Jan 5, 2014
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Chester
@Spamar - so sorry to hear that you didn't get away, no answers I'm afraid

I've recommended them before but a close friend of mine got a lot of support from 'Cruse' a bereavement charity when he lost his wife, he had to take early retirement to care for her for her last 2 years
 

Spamar

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Oct 5, 2013
7,723
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Suffolk
Thanks, JM. I’m going to try a local place first, though not totally sure it’s what I want. If not, I’ll try cruse. They must be the experts. Still ongoing, couldn’t be bothered to collect prescription or go shopping yesterday afternoon, so had to sort it this morning after a long coffee session! Then the rain came! its still heavy and the cars still parked outside. Might get it a bit cleaner, I suppose!

Hope exams are going well for those who are involved! ((((Hugs)))) for everyone else!
 

jugglingmum

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Jan 5, 2014
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Chester
Jumping threads @Spamar but thought it better to post here as not relevant to the thread it's on

I grew up with the phrase I'll have your guts for garters I'm sure, I'm certainly familiar with it. Didn't realise it was regional in it's use.

A level stress is fluctuating between extreme and high levels. Not good. I am escaping this weekend by going to Bristol on Saturday and Sheffield on sunday for fencing tournaments. OH is away with work Monday evening/night and back late Tuesday so I may take tuesday off work. Dau has an afternoon exam which I need to take her in for and then I need to leave early to get son to his English tutor so not enough hours in work to make it worthwhile.
 

Spamar

Registered User
Oct 5, 2013
7,723
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Suffolk
Good grief, I don’t know how you cope! Im just sitting here getting worse!
I went to the local stress reliever group yesterday, but their advice was to go the surgery and contact their specialists! However, met a lady I know from several years ago, so had a good chat and catch-up with her. Her husband had dementia, but died suddenly from something else. I recognised her voice first! Not that I’m saying she talks a lot! But she does!

Enjoy your weekend!
 

Ann Mac

Registered User
Oct 17, 2013
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Dare I admit that OH, son and daughters BF are all Liverpool fans, and were delighted at the result. The only reason it mattered to me was that I was spared the after-match misery I would have got had Liverpool lost!

Glad the exams are going well JM - but feel for you with all the running round!

Spamar, so sorry you didn't get away and are feeling low. Cruse is good - Mil went to them after she lost my Fil, and they really helped x I hope they can help you too xxx

Mil is fine - never leaves her room now, gets distressed in the main lounge, just can't handle the noise and people walking round. As long as she is happy in her room, then thats OK by us. Still no assessment for food, but senior nurse has been observing and notes that she does mange better with food that doesn't need too much chewing, when its cut up - but also noted that even with a soft option, there are times when she needs physical assistance to feed herself. I think its going to end up with 1-1 just at meal times. In herself, not seen any signs of violence, verbal or physical, for the last several visits - though she will quite bluntly tell you that she wants to be by herself quite often. The doll and Liam the dog are the main recipients of her attention, most of the time - she spends ages cuddling and crooning to them - and seems very content to do this. A couple of odd things - kissing and licking are now firmly mixed up - it looks very odd to see her just sat there, licking doll and dog, I must say - and kissing her goodbye can also be a risky proposition! And speech - I can barely understand half of what she says when she does try to make conversation now. Garbled, slurred words and the words that you can make out are used in a way that makes little sense most of the time. The only things consistently clear are when she raises her voice, either to tell you to go or in frustration when we haven't been able to understand a request.

But, the important bit in all that is she is content. We can all live with that, and just want it to last.

Work - best not talked about at the moment - I doubt you would believe me anyway. Serious job searching now going on.

The other news. We lost our beloved Busta dog on May 30th. He had been unwell for about 7 days, but it was all very up and down, with nothing exactly identifiable other than age and possibly an infection - he was eating one day, not the next, having trouble with his balance (slightly) and with his walking on occasion. On the Wednesday evening, he seemed slightly worse - just less with it, more sleepy, refusing food (though still going to the door when he needed out and still drinking and tail wagging). Youngest came down in the night and said there was 'something' that worried her, and she actually spent a couple of hours on his big cushion with him, petting him and just watching him. When I got up Thursday morning, I knew he was bad - walking round in circles, very confused. OH got up and we agreed I would phone the vet if no improvement by lunch time (we had had several mornings where we thought 'Oh-ooh', but he had perked up within a couple of hours). Youngest was due to travel to Coventry to stay overnight with big sis, before they both came home on the Friday, so we decided not to say to her - but she was worried, after the night she had with him, and before she left, she made me promise to keep her up to date. By lunchtime, I knew. For the first time he was having trouble having a wee, and although he tried to eat, he was very sick afterwards. There was also a terrible smell on his breath, and I was pretty sure it was his kidneys. I made an appointment at the vets and when OH came home, we took him. The vet confirmed tha this kidneys had failed, that treatment would only prolong his life for a couple of weeks, and it would be extremely distressing for him at his age. So, we made the hardest decision.

We have all been in bits since. The vet assured us that he couldn't have been more well looked after, that we had done everything right, made the decision at the right time before he suffered pain. None of it helps one jot - after 16 years (we got him as a 12 month old stray) there is a big gaping hole in our house, and its horrible.

About to take youngest to her theatre group - her last show with them is at The Royal Albert Hall in about 3 weeks time. The group has been a big part of ourr lives since oldest was just 13 - so the end of an era!

Sending much love to you all and hoping you are all OK xxxx
 

Moggymad

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May 12, 2017
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@Ann Mac so very sorry for the loss of Busta. I know words don't help much at this time but from your posts I know he was loved so much & he loved you all in return. Cherish his memory & the wonderful cared for life you gave him as part of your family. ❤️ Sending sincere condolences to you all.

As far as your job is concerned yes I think we would believe you Ann, going by what you've said in the past Perhaps this is now the time for a change in this part of your life as well. Good luck in the job search. Hopefully somewhere that will appreciate your hard work X
 
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2jays

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Jun 4, 2010
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West Midlands
Sorry to hear about busta. Heart breaking to loose a family member, even tho he had a long good life since coming to your family xxxxx
 

jugglingmum

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Jan 5, 2014
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Chester
Sorry to hear about Busta. They are such an intrinsic part of the family. It takes time to get over.

Our old girl is sometimes wobbly on her walks. She can't stand for too long. Vet suggested adding another painkiller into the mix but I'm not sure. She has an abcess on her paw at the moment. It is in a lump which is sebaceous spot or similar so went to vets for antibiotics. We need her to last to end of a levels.

Sorry to hear about your job. Glad you are looking for another one