Had a bit of a blip in the dentistry world! Oh dear me, why is it so complicated. My fault as our dentist moved about 12 months ago, although I did have a letter telling me we would move with them, it was so long ago that I don't remember the bit stating we must all go for the routine check to stay registered. Cory has been going every 3 months to the orthodontist for brace tightening in the meantime so in my lapse on dentistry receptionist training - I assumed (I know, I know, I taught this myself to others - ass/u/me) but hey. I failed in my own preaching and we have all been reregistered! Damn it, only the husband escapes this as he has the army dentist and does not have to concern himself with these civilian blips! It has taken me many hours on the phone to different numbers where I do eventually find one surgery who answer their phone, but I can't register over the phone apparently and have to take all three of us in person! Guess what we are doing tomorrow. At least my lesson has been learnt, I shall keep up the routine checks! There is no choice, no recommendations just get in with anyone who takes NHS patients. (Or anyone who answers the phone) The orthodontics were not too impressed with me either when I told them and I was sternly told to register elsewhere as soon as possible! Bad Mummy award to me. Cory is looking forward to the braces being removed and really hoped this time may be closer as his teeth are perfectly straight but apparently the 'bite' isn't where is should be yet so he has a little while longer to go. Quite frankly I will also be relieved as he really does not eat well with them on and he is pretty underweight for a lad who is almost as tall as me. He was happy when the dentist suggested ice cream though, this lessons the pain on the metal brace, so we stocked up on ice cream on the way home. I tried to encourage variety with little hundreds and thousands, little chocolate ball thingies and the like but dear Erin had enjoyed this so much that the kitchen floor has been awash of sugar strands and bloody balls for days! If the furry Hoover (Norton) could see them I'm sure it wouldn't be half as bad but I am glad these little things have now run out! I will replace the ice cream but I am going to selectively 'forget' any hundreds and thousands these things are aptly named I feel; the little blighters get everywhere! We had a wonderful weekend together - well, he just made it home for my night out with the ladies from theatre school, he was delayed in north bound Bristol traffic and my boss arrived to collect me before he got in, it was a quick handover of 'all is fine - see you later' got to love this MU stuff huh?! I think he forgave me for getting in at stupid o clock but, we just sat in a beautiful garden with sea views, crisp things and alcohol chatting and talking over the summer show and summer school, it was a giggle. We are such super cool, out there rebels that we played a board game! It was hilarious mind! Blooming multi - talented ones were a bit too good at the cranium game mind! Stupid o clock arrived and we waited outside for what seemed like an age because the taxi couldn't find the road! Sunday we headed off to Spitchwick on Dartmoor with my best friend and her brood. Now this is where being an army wife is perfect as he got up on Sunday, brought me tea in bed, told me not to worry as he was packing?! Now I know that any intervention from me would not be too welcomed so I am happy to sip the tea given. (I think he plans this secretly - to keep me out of the way) This man is definitely one to be around should a zombie apocalypse or something occur because even on a day out this man thinks of everything. He can pack a whole day into two bags whereas I would probably have the same amount of stuff in four or five bags! Out comes the obligatory (but very handy) day sack, ice pack, food cooler, plastic containers, tea, coffee, sugar, milk and a little jet boil thing he bought in Afghanistan...this thing is amazing - It boils water in 60seconds from a little gas canister so we were happy caffeine induced adults for the day. Talking of packing everything, he does so well as he knows and always ribs me for being his little 'English Rose' i.e. I only have to sit in the sun for ten minutes and I burn! Yes, I did burn but he remembered the sun cream of course. He applied the sun cream for me and the afternoon continued, only on the way back he is complaining about stinging knees...he has not applied said sun cream to himself and is now sporting rather burnt knees and a fabulous pattern on both feet from his sandals! (Tee hee) My English Rose indeed! Norton is far more comfortable in his skin on the medication, he is not scratching and tomorrow he finishes the steroids; but today has been difficult. Over the weekend he has struggled on his back legs, one leg in particular and he has fallen a few times. Today, whilst the Guinea pigs came out for their daily tube and assault course in the hallway, I moved Norton's bed only to find he had obviously been incontinent - this I know is not a good sign. Cory later gave him his food and asked why he was eating it side on, when I looked his left leg had collapsed, he didn't seem to notice and carried on eating so I corrected his back end but it folded underneath him again, so I held the poor dogs back legs up so he could eat his dinner and he walked off fine? I am hoping this is just the effects of the medication but I am also aware that this may be the beginning of he end. Cory knows this too after seeing him today and has been rather emotional to say the least. Tomorrow we will register at a dentist but we are also going to go into town and buy some dog bowls on a stand so that he doesn't need to bend when he eats, we have had this dog from a pup and we will look after him in his old age as best we can. Medication, well I had a distressed call from my Mum tonight over many small issues but it would seem the worst bug of hers being that yet again the staff have not ordered her repeat medication on time (I really am trying to be non opinionated here) so she has been out of her medication for four days and out of inhalers for two?! It beggars belief eh? This has resulted in my mother getting on her mobility scooter and going to the pharmacy herself and collecting it! Four days?! so I can imagine how she was on her return to the home and she has indeed had a shouty match at the Manager (I cringe) so I guess she is on the naughty list again for the foreseeable future. She has informed me that there is no communication, (she is right) some of the staff are lovely and some are just plain nasty, (she is right again) and it has gone 'downhill' since a change in staff, (spot on) the only problem is; she is talking about leaving?! Hmn I say 'Mum, you are probably in one of the best places' and that is of no comfort to her or me to be fair but that's all we have. I was expecting a drama to unfold tonight but so far I have had no phone calls from the home, I am hopeful that I calmed her down. As she has been without medication (again) this anger may escalate. I have a feeling my peacekeeping role may be comxing out to play!! Happy days....roll on summer leave starting eh! Have a good week all - Mille x