June …ing

It is that time of the month again. I am trying to think about a word or two summarise June but nothing stands out. I am a bit frazzled but no more than usual. On the whole, more good things than bad things happen and I carve out time to do things I love. 

:: Counting down the days to our holidays. Today is Tuesday, we are leaving for our week up North on Friday. I am slightly anxious because the teens stay at home. Sam will be the responsible adult, checking-in on them several times and making sure the cat is fed. 

:: Giving blood. It was accidental of sorts because the blood donation centre is right opposite the place where I had my mammogram. This was my routing screening appointment. When leaving after the mammogram I spotted the blood donation centre and I felt a pang of guilt because I hadn’t donated for a long time. Eleven years it turned out, after I went in for spontaneous donation. 

:: Eating well, on the whole. With the occasional packet of Jaffa cakes. There is no such thing as eating two Jaffa cakes. 

:: Cooking standard meals, nothing exciting but usually tasty. Today I made a tofu & vegetable satay curry. 

:: Watching “Missing” on the BBC iPlayer. I started with the latest series, which is set in Glasgow and Edinburgh and the missing persons were mostly young, several with care experience. I am not surprised.  Each programme covers the story of two missing persons, and how they are searched for, and sadly not always found alive. I felt quite emotional because - and I am sure you remember - Iris was missing for several weeks earlier this year. We were more lucky than the families shown in Missing in the sense that Iris stayed in touch by text message, after a community police intervention. I can honestly say that we experienced the local community police exactly as they were represented on the programme, and on more than one occasion. Compassionate, non-judgmental, supportive and immensely patient. 

:: Drafting, re-drafting and finally writing a stern and detailed letter to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, requesting an update on Iris’ referral, detailing the harm caused by the extended waiting time (coming up for four years) and lack of support. It borders on neglect and we are sick of it. Iris is turning 18 in a few months and we need reassurance that a transition plan to adult services is in place. I sent the letter was to the CAMHS Service Manager by guaranteed signed for next day delivery, and we also sent copies to our GP and the doctor who sees Iris at the Glasgow Youth Health Service every two months. I hope to at least get a response.

:: Listening to Three things about Elsie by Joanna Cannon, A raging storm by Ann Cleeves and Not with a bang by Temi Oh. I am about halfway through the first one, quite enjoying it. I finished the other two. Both solid middle ground in terms of enjoyment. I need a book for my holiday if you have a recommendation. I have a non-fiction book on my pile, Maraña: War and Disease in the Jungles of Colombia by Lina Pinto-García. I met the author during an online work related bookclub meeting. I get to do really fun things at work.

:: Meeting and getting to know two wonderful individuals at the Blythwood Square hotel bar. I would have liked to have had more time because I really enjoyed our conversations. I didn’t yet check if it is ok to share details so may do that later. But meeting a fellow blogger is always a delight.  

:: Bravely cutting into a precious piece of fabric, a Liberty linen/cotton print called Prospect Road A. This is easily my favourite fabric print ever (see photo above). I made the Kobi Dress by Emporia patterns, a simple dress with a front and back and attached belt for shaping. I didn’t fancy pattern matching for the Liberty print. I had actually made that same dress with a plain white fabric last year, to test the pattern but had forgotten about it until I was looking for a light garment during the three or four days of warm weather. In other sewing related news, I tried shirring for the first time ever. It is easy, I don’t know why I tried to avoid it for years.

:: Spending too much money on beauty…. My few treatments all seemed to converge in June. Haircut, leg wax, summer pedicure and nails. I am otherwise low maintenance. My skin routine includes water, soap and Lidl face cream for example. Minimal make-up, occasionally. 

:: Persevering with puppy training. It is hard work and tests my patience almost as much as my teenagers do. Progress is glacial but noticeable. As I am typing this, I am back from an evening walk. Same time as all the local foxes were also taking their stroll. Bad timing. There is so much to think about - lead practice, doorbell reactivity and staying calm when faced with other dogs are top of my list.

:: Feeling upset about the promotion freeze at my institution because I had planned to apply for promotion in the next  round and I believe I had a strong case. It is all about saving money. A voluntary severance scheme is coming in autumn. 

:: Keeping fit by walking daily, running once a week, going to ballet once a week and volunteering. This is an excellent work-out, contributing to my strength. Can I just brag about my scything technique? A good skill to have when there is large areas covered in Himalayan Balsam that needs cutting down before it can flower and set seed. You can see a path that I cut into a patch above (before raking up) and also the root of a particularly gigantic specimen pulled out. It is important to cut it below the first growth nodule to prevent it from coming back and for good measure, a good stomp over the cut area is also helpful.

:: Staying sane. Not always easy. I have discovered, however, immense strength and resilience within myself, which is very handy. 

And with that, bedtime is just minutes away. I am looking forward to have time to read blogs next week, with buckets of coffee and hopefully, cake. Thanks for visiting 😊