its cuppa tea time...I find myself sitting here a bit lost. I feel like ive forgotten something, like I just cant quite decide what to do with this day.
you see as of Tuesday I now have 3 more hours in my day to do things??...how did I manage that I hear you ask...well let me tell you.
I haven't mentioned it here before (alluded to it maybe), but our little guy Charlie has autism.
(wow typing that sentence now has me teary!...which always surprises me a little).
this isn't going to be an autism post, I`ll save that for another time.
but I will tell you that the school Charlie needs to attend is over 40kms away and getting him there and home again is a one and a half hour round trip....which of course needs to be done twice a day.
we got word just before easter that we qualified for some assistance with his travel.
now travel for Charlie is not the easiest of gigs....theres a little routine that needs to be followed, a bit of patience is required and a huge dash of understanding.
enter stage left the fabulous Helen.....the powers that be have sent us a lovely lady with the patience and character required to escort our lovely lad safely and promptly to school a few days a week.
which means I have 3.. (yes 3!...let me hear it again 3!!!) hours that I haven't had since Charlie was 3 yrs old (hes nearly 7 and his early intervention post diagnosis was done in same town).
sooo......what do I do with it?
well I bumble around this house walking from room to room feeling a tad lost and guilty.
no doubt I will get over that feeling but for now Frankie and I keep grinning at each other like fools in a fool shop. yep sista friend is feeling it too...she keeps asking where is Charlie?.
so much has been put on the back burner for when I have time and well blow me down now I have some of it!
guess what I did yesterday??....you never will!
I went to the gym......fuuuuck me!!
first time in 10 years....did a little dance class...or should I say laugh class, may or may not of peed myself but hey I was amongst other weak bladdered ladies so pretty sure it went unnoticed!
but alas there is a down side (kinda) ive been asked to work some more hours. now I love my job so its not hard to say yes and who doesn't like a little more cash in the pocket....
but shhh, the secret is that ive told the boss that the assisted travel doesn't start till the end of this month ! (pretty sure she knew I was fibbing...I tend to twitch...but shes a mumma and gets it)
naughty I know but I know you wont hold it against me.
its now 11am and my bum is numb from procrastinating. Frankie is at daycare, the day is all mine till 3.15pm.....crikey moses im giddy!.
theres a trampoline in the front yard maybe I should go jump on it!....nah would just pee myself again!!..
what would you do with 3 more hours in your day?? (blow bubbles?)
Axx
I love this post! I admire your honesty and for sharing a special part of Charlie that must be so heart breaking. 3 hours...... I would lounge on the couch with tea and chocolate and read or go back to bed and sleeppppp. But make out to "him indoors" that I had used the time wisely. I don't think I would trampoline for fearing of peeing too xo
ReplyDeleteit make me teary reading that ali, (even though at the same time i was thinking 'thank goodness he's got a mum with all that energy and joy in her').if i were you i'd top up that gorgeous teapot, grab some chocolate and lie on the couch with a magazine (maybe doing a few pelvic floor exercises now and again just so you feel you've 'done' something), especially if you only have a few weeks to enjoy it, i say LUXURIATE in it!
ReplyDeleteGood for you.....hooray for Charlie.....hallelujah for Helen....now go and put your feet up and enjoy the silence while it lasts :0)
ReplyDeletexx
I also loved reading this post, Al. This extra time will be good for you and Frankie, some special time together before you take on the extra hours at work. I think Charlie will benefit too, it seems a gentle step towards a little more independence out there in the wide world, bless him.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you didn't use some of that time to go on the thrift hunt! Have you joined Oppies Anonymous? Surely not. I'll have to 'unfriend' you if you have!!
The Gym? An unsavoury word I recall from my past. I had an Uncle Gym but he was nice, so it can't be him you've been visiting (especially as he has been dead for 20 years). I know I should remember the meaning of the word but its giving me nasty vibes and my C5-6 is hurting bad just at the mere mention of Gym, so I'll take your word that its something OK.
Is that nice vintage ?Johnson dinner set a recent score? So 1950s. Love the 'granny green' teapot too.
As a retiree, I don't qualify to comment on 3 extra hours in my day ... sorry (wash my mouth out with Harpic) I know I shouldn't brag that I'm a lazy lump who can daydream a whole day away.
x
Enjoy that extra time! We love our extra special kids but I also know those extra bits of stress that come along with them. Having some alone time with your daughter is fantastic....make the most of it! :) x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Alison! You are doing such a wonderful job and I hope the guilts disappear soon so you can relax properly in your three new hours;)
ReplyDeleteAw, bless your cotton socks, I feel a bit teary too now. Just enjoy your 3 hours doing whatever you like. I'd probably do nothing. Absolutely nothing and enjoy the quiet for 3 hours as Frankie is in daycare for those 3 hours isn't she? Yep, just relax and enjoy. Mel x
ReplyDeleteOh Al. Oh Al!! Am really excited for you. Thank God travel has come to the party and sorted out yours and Charlie's school scenario. This post speaks to me on so many levels as we've had travel assistance for Ruby for many years now and it's changed my life as it is changing yours. Our bus grannies are fantastic and Helen sounds perfect. I really hope it gets easier for Charlie as he gets into another routine. Now can you just tell work that it won't start till term 3 at least?? You won't know yourselves, great stuff. (obviously I'm tired and rambling here, it's Friday night, but really pleased this is happening for you). Hope it all goes well, especially for dear Charlie. Have a great w/end xx
ReplyDeleteLove it! 3 more hours in the day is gold - pure gold I tell you. Laughed out loud at your gym class story. I love some brutal honesty. You did well to get out and do some exercise!!
ReplyDeleteThree extra hours in my day would probably find me watching some trash TV (Real Housewives of Beverly HIlls kind) with a Mint Slice (or 4) and a cup of tea. Hoorah!!
I would probably walk around in circles and scratch my bum.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure which is worse - weak bladders at your dance class or
weak sphincters at my yoga class.
Man oh man, that's some driving time you put in for your little fella.
But great that he has a school not too far away.
It was a great day for my husband's family yesterday when his cousin who is
autistic had his first independent app go live on itunes.
Here if anyone likes playing old fashioned arcade games on their phone.
http://pocketdogfights.com/
We are all so proud of him - he's come such a long way from the troubled little kid
I knew way back in the dim dark ages of the 90's.
Enjoy your extra 3 hours however you choose to spend it (perhaps you'd like to play pocket dogfights!).
oh gawd i do love you!! how fab that you got transport, tilly does as well. keep out of the charity shops though...3 extra hours a day could mean a serious need to build extra storage sheds not to mention a few domestics! (there aren't enough vintage suitcases in the world to hide all the damage you could do spending, so don't even think about that...and I know you did!) the gym...holy moly may have to get running again....its time i reconnected with my chin i feel! as for peeing your self in gym...doesn't everyone? xxxx
ReplyDeleteOh you funny girl, I laughed out loud at the gym bit. Hilarious. EXACTLY how I would put it. I have never mentioned on my blog, but also alluded to it, that my nephew, my little sister's child is Autistic & my Fin is on the Aspergers "spectrum", whatever that means ;) according to all the "experts". Such amazing children. Everyday I am constantly amazed. I feel lucky to be their Mum & Aunty. Your boy is gorgeous as is the little cute one, Frankie. How wonderful you have great support for the travel, it makes such a difference. Niki. Ps Hope your bum feels back to normal soon. bahahahah, Niki x
ReplyDeleteOh I understand that initial giddy feeling of having time to ones self in a long time. It's in those moments where you just think that anything is possible with your time. Such wonderfullness that you have got assitance, I hope t all continues to give you moments of wonder.
ReplyDelete