November 10th 2015 - Christmas cupboard

I wish I had a Christmas cupboard like this one:

BUT as my house is not big enough to have "spare cupboards" that I could turn into my own christmas cupboard/grotto I will have to make do with what I have!

I have spent a good 2-3hrs in my small storage cupboards sorting out what I have for christmas and for who and what I still need to get.  I took everything out, sorted it into groups and put back.  I will need re-take out to wrap and then mix up so not all of 1 persons ends up in 1 bag!

November 9th 2015 - just because.....

Just because i'm used to the pain, doesnt mean it doesnt still hurt.  And trust me it hurts alot!  Some days are worse than others and today was 1 of those days.  I have been sat in non-stop pain all day.  No matter how I moved, where I sat or stood or what I did it wouldn't ease.

November 8th 2015 - Remembrance Parade

As part of a uniformed organisation we always take part in the annual Remembrance Parade through town.

However, this year the weather was absolutely horrid, it wasn't just raining but chucking it down and the wind was blowing in all directions.  As the Youth Manager I made the decision that they did not have to parade if they didn't want to.  I spoke to the youth members and their parents and gave them all a choice of staying and parading in the rain or going home.  If they chose to go home I would not be cross but glad that they actually turned up. 

6 of the Cadets stayed and paraded, I sent the 2 under 1oyr old Badgers home as it wasn't fair on them being small and 1 having health problems.  I am very proud of the Cadets that did stay and parade and they should be proud of themselves as well. 

I just hope that none of them end up ill from it.  My son, who is a cadet paraded and when he came home he was soaked to the skin and shivering bless him. 

7th November 2015 - School shoes

I realised at 4pm today that my youngest son has been wearing his trainers for the past week at school as his school shoes had split before half term.  I also realised at the same time that he cant wear his trainers tomorrow for Remembrance Parade with St John Ambulance!

This meant 1 thing we had to do a mad dash to Brantano (where I dont like buying from as usually have limited shoes for boys) to buy a pair of black school shoes.  I'm hoping  that these will last until christmas (or afterwards).

6th November 2015 - absolutely nothing

Today I  have done absolutely nothing but as the picture says this is still too much!  I didn't get up until late as very tired and in pain and I stayed in my pjs and did nothing!

5th November 2015 - Buckingham Palace

My son was nominated to go to Buckingham Palace with St John Ambulance for a Young Achievers Reception with HRH Princess Royal, (Princess Anne).

This is a very great thing and I was very proud both as a parent and a St John Ambulance Officer.  There was my son and another Cadet from my unit who were nominated and attended the Palace.  My son was very nervous about going but he had a very good time whilst there.

The above picture shows my son (in the coat) and the other lad from my unit talking to Princess Anne at the Palace. 

4th November 2015 - St Johns Gate Museum

Having been a member of St John Ambulance for over 20years is something big.  However in this time I have never been to the St Johns Gate Museum.  That is until today.

As I was in London with 2 Cadets from St John Ambulance we paid a visit to the museum and went on a tour.  It was very interesting to learn more about the history of the organisation I am part of.