Polly Plea(d)s...

Regular readers of this blog will by now be aware of the fact that I love hats! In fact, I have so many hats that it's difficult to manage them all at times...
When I refer to hats, I mean metaphorical hats, you know the type that you wear at certain times of the week depending on which occupation you are following at the time. Examples of these would be chef's, cook's, night cap, hike hat, scout hat, gymnastic's hat and finally dyslexia group hat, not forgetting Mummy hat and chief bottle washer hat too!

Last year the Educational Building Society Community Fund donated funding to 150 worthy causes around the country. Two of my hats were the lucky beneficiaries, #1. The Offaly Dyslexia Group (aka The North Offaly Dyslexia Association) and #2. Tullamore Scouts. The point is that now is the time for me to take my hat off and hold it out to you for donations. Well, it's a bit simpler than that even! For my Irish reader's this will be of particular interest...

All members of The EBS are eligible to nominate one local charity for funding from the EBS Community Fund 2009. Applications may be downloaded from here and must be submitted by 5pm on the 5th June 2009 either by post or to your local branch office.

The reason for the speel about the hats is that I am too involved in each of my own volunteer groups to be able to choose which one to promote. Each of them is a worthy cause and each needs financial help as much as the other, to allow them to further their good deeds!

So Ladies and Gentlemen, this is where you come in; I am calling upon your good will to make the choice for me and to promote this fact to all your friends, relations and colleagues. Ask them if they have an EBS account and then suggest whichever of my favourite charities appeals to you the most, please? Pretty, please?

#1. Offaly Dyslexia Group

• We have recently formed, ie 2009.
  
• We are continuing to provide resources for the group.
  
• We run workshops to help children with Dyslexia learn how to read and how to interact with others.
  
• The workshops which we run are great for the kids self esteem as well as on a more practical level. Just knowing that they are NOT alone makes a tremendous difference.
• We provide support and advice for parents.
  

#2. LSG Supporter's Club

• We raise funds and support our coach in teaching children gymnastics.
  
• This is great for kids with specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia as it improves their co-ordination, self esteem, concentration, social skills, etc.
• One of our ex-coaches/members Geoff Rellis was also a member of the national squad. He is now furthering his studies and working within the sport in Canada.
  
• Last year we had 7 medal winners at The Men's Irish Gymnastics Championships. This year we had none, because we didn't enter the competition. This is due to inadequate funding for this sport and the high cost of entering events such as this...
• We need equipment, coaches and a permanent base to call our own. At present the Irish Army is generously renting its gymnasium to us on a temporary basis. Storage and access can be problematic at times.
  

#3. Tullamore Scouts

• This is a VOLUNTARY youth group formed over one hundred years ago by Robert Baden-Powell. Scouting is a world wide activity.
• Funding is raised locally.
• Scouting helps in the development of young lives and provides children with life skills which will help them at times of crisis and in the work place.
  
• Scouting encourages young people to take responsibility and to help others.
• Activities can be expensive. Insurance is vital. Leaders are volunteers and pay for themselves.

Each of these organisations needs your help. Whether this be in terms of financial donations, nomination for the EBS Community Fund 2009 or in terms of time each of these groups does need your help badly. Please choose one to support, if you are unable to support all of them.

Please enlist the help of your spouse, children, co-workers, friends and family. If you are unable to help us yourself it is possible that someone you know can help us, it may be that they are one of the 440,000 EBS customers who is eligible to nominate one of my charitable groups. If you don't ask, you will never be able to tell them about this crazy woman who lives in a bog, makes cards and loves hats - or indeed her favourite charities!

Thank you for taking the time to read this most unusual post.

Polly Pierce

Polly's Arctic Bunny Suit

OOooh! There's so much to do and so little time to do it in. Last week in the run up to the half-term break I had visions of spending long hours in the house with the two boys finally rescuing it from the quagmire of accoutrement's built up over the years. Like all good magpie's we live in the middle of a pile of clutter which we simply cannot bear to part with; perhaps this is the reason for the various members of the crow family building their nests within spitting distance of the house...

What I wouldn't give for a visit from Aggie and Kim to de-clutter and deep clean all those hidden corner's for me! Meanwhile the fantasy continues in the form of a written contract binding my eldest dear son to my side for the whole of this week; in performing his various neglected chores - without protestation - our nest will soon be ready for decorating. Once this is done we'll be out of the CHAOS phase of our lives and he'll be able to invite his friends over. Hardy, ha, ha - LOL!

CHAOS is an acronym coined by Marla Cilley - otherwise known as Fly Lady. It represents that horror of horror that all teenager's are so prone to; which is the double standard of can't be bothered + won't be bothered but want my friends over too = Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome!

The news so far is poor. BB has finally completed the extra-delightful task of providing his pet ferret with a clean and warm environment for the winter; lucky thing! He was also persuaded to bring in fuel for the in the stove; LB was coerced into taking the ashes out and the result was that the fire was lit hours later than intended - at nearly 7.30pm!

Meanwhile, Mum; the intrepid Scouter was lounging on the sofa in the sitting room complaining of stomach cramps and abdominal tenderness. The kids have diagnosed appendicitis; personally I think it probably has more to do with the copious amounts of draught Guinness consumed at Ms T's hen party & Mr T's stag party on Saturday night.

That wouldn't have presented too much of a problem; except for the fact that by 1pm Sunday; I was on my way to Charleville Estate for a winter camp with the Scouts! Yes folks, it was -2C on Sunday night and we'd no running water or toilet facilities; let alone central heating or electric blankets to keep us warm...

It was about 1am when eventually my tired body decided to call it a night. My feet were warmish; so I was alright for the night! Mr B; in the adjacent tent was much the same as myself - only he took his socks off! I replaced mine with wool, angora and Lycra thermals purchased in Lidl on Thursday. In fact my whole body was swathed in fluffy bunny; I was lovely and warm - that is until I started to fall asleep...

By 4am I could tell that Ms M was awake; the rubbing noises coming from her double layered sleeping bags were a dead give-away. That was my opportunity to rustle my way quietly into the huge over sized bin liner called a survival bag; while she tip-toed out into the cold, cold field in her bare feet.

Happily my rustling had relieved one bladder and brought warmth to another pair of feet in the next tent; yes I'd also woken Mr B! As the two of them rustled their way into their respective space blankets I snacked as quietly as possible on a chocolate digestive biscuit to quell my rumbling tummy. Soon I luxuriated in a rosy glowing sensation; then sleep finally took over...

Would I do it again? The answer has to be a definite "Yes!" The kids had a great time; and yes they too were cold; although they got to snuggle into one another like kittens in a basket! It was an experience and it was fun. We'll all be better prepared for the conditions next time; ie I've already put a new four seasons sleeping bag on my list for Christmas - my existing one is as old as the hills and needs to be retired!

Next time we'll all remember to bring the magic ingredients for our supper and an extra layer of clothing for warmth; but hey we survived this camp and we'll be recovered from it by the time the kids go back to school!

Like I said, so much to do and so little time to do it! One thing I have noticed though; is that I am much tidier at home in the immediate aftermath of a camp; so much so that I was able to work at the kitchen table yesterday afternoon. Things are looking up; and even though yesterday was definitely a day for pj's and sweats, I got so much more done - just because I'd tidied the kitchen upon my return from our Arctic exploration...

I somehow doubt that my fantasy of being able to redecorate the house at the end of the half-term break will be realised. The week is already half gone; the rest of it filled with social engagements galore including breakfast BNI meetings; overnight ghost hunting at Charleville Castle on Halloween followed by a 50th birthday party...

At least the kitchen is tidier and my 'Appendicitis' symptoms should by well on the way to recovery by then; just in time for the next round!Meanwhile; we continue to live in a state of organised CHAOS. I continue to build my empire from the kitchen table and fantasize about paying someone to come in and do the rest for me!

Anyway, that's a quick overview of the past week from your favourite card making Scouter! I've got to go and ring Martin and confirm my participation in Friday's adventure now; wish us luck...

Polly Pierce
Hand-Made Greeting Cards & Wedding Stationary

Polly Money

Okay! So the truth is out...

Not so long ago I rashly offered to make myself available to any mysterious benefactor who might just like to contribute to my Trip To Austria With The Scouts In August Fund. Of course I was only half joking about a very serious subject; the result? BJK announced that she hadn't realised that I'd intended to head off to the Alps with the Lads.

Anyway, one thing lead to another and frankly I got very fed up and decided not to go. I also decided not to sent BB. However, it's very hard to refuse a Scout Leader as nice as ours; especially when she's on her knees begging you to reconsider and you really, really want to go. So yes, I am heading off to Salzburg some time in August and I can't wait! Neither can BB.

The problem is that truthfully I really can't afford to go. Common sense should have prevailed; and for a very short time it did. I find myself somewhat lack-lustre and a little down in the dumps each time I think about the trip; but then again I was the same with regard to the Bruce Springsteen concert and look at what happened there - I loved it.

Basically; the bottom line is that failing the mysterious donation that I am dreaming of I am going to have to make some serious money. I have already told BB that unless he meets half the cost he will not be going; despite the fact that I have booked our flights; something to do with cutting your losses while you're still ahead...

It does sound mean telling a young lad of thirteen years, ten months, two weeks and five days old that he's not going unless he pays his way; doesn't it? Well; NO! It jolly well doesn't. BB's reached the stage where he can learn the value of money the old fashioned way; by earning it. It accordance with the sentiment of my last post; I don't agree with rewarding children for doing nothing as frankly it leads to problems in future years that I'd rather not have them or me contend with.

At least this way He will have achieved something momentous; ie The Scout Tour To Austria, during his three months holidays and have the satisfaction of knowing that He did it himself.
As for me, I can well see that I am going to have to desert my post at the computer chair and get out into that studio to make hundreds of cards to sell to unsuspecting members of the public, et al.

Yeah, right! How many times have we heard this then? (Separate e-mail on its way to Angers for Jean with very contrite contents...) But hang on in there; this time I actually mean it!

"The Hills Are Alive..."

LOL!







Polly Peirce
Purveyor to All of Mankind of Good Will & Terrific Greeting Cards & Wedding Stationary Made By Hand In Ireland!

Sunday, Bloody Sunday!

In this post I am referring back to a comment posted by Jean regarding A Series of Unfortunate Events - Chapter 4:

"... I suspect though that it always goes much faster in the computer room than in the kitchen..."

You know, it is just like that. Time on the PC flies by, in the kitchen you wait patiently for the timer to ring and out in the craft studio it is very motivational!

I get my stamps cleaned up well in advance of the second hourly bell; and can leave the house to catch the school bell without any of the usual panic. That said, I've only tried it a couple of times but it does work. Maybe the kitchen timer IS the way to go; after all it is highly recommended by Fly Lady.

I have gone so far as to order one of Fly Lady's super duper timers, not only does this lady have a super effective marketing system; she also receives hundreds of testimonials regarding how good the Sidetracked Home Executives (SHE) system, is. After years of stumbling around in the dark; I do believe that finally there is light at the end of the tunnel for me and mine.

At times it is hard to believe that any one of us could possibly survive the myriad challenges of life. In our house I subscribed to the theory that:

1. I had to work full-time
2. I would never be able to afford to work part-time and this was my greatest fantasy
3. I was hard done by because I didn't see much of the children, let alone rear them
4. I didn't have time to do my housework properly
5. I was too tired to do my house and garden maintenance; except when on holidays
6. If I acquired a dishwasher all my troubles; great and small would be over

With the benefit of hindsight I am now able to realise each one of these myths for what they were; which of course is utter codswallop. In reverse order, let me expound each of these ludicrous beliefs:

1. I am now on my second dishwasher and the house was actually cleaner and tidier during the short time that I was bereft of said item
2. I am too tired to attend to my house and garden maintenance: except for the fact the occasional good day, and we now go away for holidays
3. I have a lot more time on my hands and I still don't have the time to do my housework properly
4. I sometimes see too much of my children these days, but I do get to play a large part in rearing them
5. I have little or no income, and I still can't afford to work part time but this is no longer a fantasy
6. I do not work full time, in fact I don't work much at all

I suppose it could be said that I am quite undomesticated; does this mean I'm feral? After years of living in hospital accommodation and digs I have to admit that managing a room containing up to eight or nine living areas has never been my strong point.

What with all this time on my hands, a brand spanking new vacuum cleaner and dishwasher, Tumble Drier Vent Cleaning Kit, Fly Lady digital kitchen timer et al; I am well on my way to changing the habits of a lifetime and therefore resuming another former fantasy. Being a Domestic Goddess doesn't entail time and energy consuming maniacal blitzes these days.

Fly Lady is gradually teaching me how to change this, become organized and even happier than I am now. Ultimately this is time management; something which I have always struggled with. Maybe, one day soon I will find myself sitting on top of a mountain of greeting cards, sorting through my orders and dispatching them post haste; all the while listening to the dulcet tones of cash registers expounding the seven domestic myths I once subscribed to.

Meanwhile, back in the real world the new dishwasher is plumbed in - by me, DG; my hero, has disassembled the washing machine, attached new hoses and re-installed it, the children are arguing about who is to empty the cat litter tray. A row ensues about who has left the trail of mud on my bedroom carpet.

Thank Goodness the annual Scouter's training course finished early. After twenty-four hours of practical and theoretical work, followed by a slap up meal, a few Guinness and a sing song with my mates; I just couldn't wait to come home to it all! Can you blame me...?

Cheers!

Polly Px

The Day Before - The Morning After!

This week has been the most peculiar week. Instead of our regular Scout meeting on Monday night; we had the annual AGM. This took place later & finished much earlier than our usual session. The result being that none of the parents wanted to put in too much work & I am now the Vice Chairperson of the 1st & 10th Tullamore Scouts. Hmmm!

Upon my return home; I then sat until the small wee hours of the morning making jewelery, ieearrings x 3 pairs, one long beaded necklace and a small bracelet. As LB wasn't prepared to part with any of his treasured possessions at the school bring and buy sale; it all came back to Mum! Oh, and Gran! In all honesty, it was nice to be able to contribute something for a change; as the past few years have seen this annual event come and go before I was eventually informed of it. Last year both of the boys were given money to spend by one of the teachers; €3.00 each?! If only someone had bothered to tell me about it, before the grand event had taken place...

Between us we managed to cobble together a few more bits and pieces. You know the sort of thing, a tea pot which is too big and doesn't strain the leaves, a pretty little rice bowl, some gorgeous 80's handbags reminiscent of big shoulders and hair and a lovely headscarf too. My mum also tried to give away some of my childhood treasures, only to have them confiscated by me! Of course, if they were that important they should go up to my house, which is only fair...

Otherwise Tuesday was a relatively uneventful day. The regular jaunt into town to drop LB off at his Cubs meeting was un-necessary as I had cleverly fixed up for the poor child to be dropped & collected by DG. This was sensibly used as an excuse to stock up the Christmas wine cellar, as DG arrived home with armfuls of festive cheer; bought at a reduced price in our local supermarket. Two of those bottles turned out to be my favourite Spanish wine, cleverly purchased at our local branch of Lidl; who just happen to have a good selection.

Wednesday: oh my goodness! Wednesday turned into the most peculiar of days; perhaps I ought to say nights! I found it difficult to motivate myself and get going. I had spent the previous night finishing off some of my famous Christmas cards, having already announced that they were pretty much sorted I decided that they weren't and so spent the majority of Tuesday night scrunched up in a ball putting the finishing touches to them.

is indeed a Anyway, by the time Wednesday morning came I was in agony! It really doesn't do for me to be in contortions on my bed, for any reason. My left hip and leg were complaining loudly while the opposite neck and shoulder joined in the chorus. Were it not for the fact that I had the scouts meeting in the evening I would have been in bed really early; still duty calls and a commitmentcommitment.

Blog, blog, blog

Hi there!

You know;when I started blogging I had a number of reasons in mind;

1. principally because I make (hand-crafted) greeting cards by hand; using a variety of techniques and welcome the chance to show them off;
2. secondly because it gives me a chance to indulge another passion of mine, which is writing,
3. I love photography and have really only started to be able to do what I have always longed to do, which is to take good photo's on a good camera. There's no point in having them if they don't get shown off from time to time!

The problem is that not everyone shares the same interests. This means that to some I am considered to be an eccentric; while to others I am considered to be quite normal.

I actually don't like the word normal because it infers that anything which lies outside of its parameters is abnormal. I personally consider that a better choice of wording is average.

--------------------------------------------

In terms of treating patients I cannot recall the many thousands of times when I have been asked "is it normal, nurse?" Most often they are enquiring about their pulse rate, temperature or their blood pressure. On the surface that is an easy question to answer; a simple yes or no would suffice; but, would it?

I have always considered that it is best to be truthful, while protecting the patient from startling facts which might upset them. It is a difficult question to answer, considering that there is no such thing as 'normal'!

Almost always I will answer, somewhat evasively, that it is what one would expect given their age, circumstances, etc., or that it is within expected parameters.

First of all I do not wish to be the person who eroneously informs the patient that in fact everything is not as it should be, or the person to tell the patient that everything is normal when in fact it isn't.

For most people the answers that I choose to give; when asked this question, is more than satisfactory. Only a very few want to know the intimate details of how their bodies fit into the parametres described as normal or anticipated.

I do not believe in telling lies, at least not intentionally. From time to time, like most people I might tell the occasional un-truth, generally due to misunderstanding or misinformation.

Unless I am having a bit of a laugh and playing a trick on someone I do not tell lies, it is not how I was raised and anyway, I can't do so for toffee! When there has been an element of deceit involved in some such plot; I will always apologize and offer an explaination myself to the recipient afterwards. I am normally forgiven quite readily.

-------------------------------------------

So far, the story to date is that I am a forty-something trained nurse; working in a specialised unit in an HSE Hospital, Somewhere in the Midlands. Due to ill-health I am taking a break to concentrate on the more important things in life, like my health and my family.

As an interest I started to make greeting cards and have been doing so for the past year. I have progressed so quickly in terms of skill and knowledge and am now able to sell my cards, for a reasonable cost.

During this time I have indulged my second passion which is photography. Since BJK gifted me a Canon Powershot digital camera have been enjoying including the occasional photo in my range of cards.

What I have discovered about myself is that while indulging my creativity my mental acuity has improved dramatically. I have good days and bad days, like most people; except my bad days really are bad days.

If I am short of sleep I suffer what can only be described as brain fog; a common complaint amongst the ME/Fibromyalgia/CFS community. On a good day, when I have remembered to take all my meds on time I feel like a million dollars. There is no consistency in my condition and I plan my life accordingly.

At last I am beginning to pace myself. In the past if I was a bit slow after a weekend off, it was probably due to copious amounts of alcohol and very little sleep for three days. Nowadays a glass or two of wine or not taking my tablets till late will have the same effect. If I forget to take my tablets I am doubled with pain, sometimes severe and other times so slight that I feel a bit like a junkie as I take my codeine; nothing else is effective.

I can no longer mash potatoes, so we have them boiled in their jackets. The skins carry the nutrients anyway. DG or BB will mash if they are around. My beloved Le Creuset Saucepan set is too heavy for me to lift without pain. Everyone knows not to get in the way if I am wielding it; from pillar to post and God help anyone that gets in the way as once in motion I cannot stop lest I drop it and its contents.

At other times my joints are so sore that I find it difficult to press down upon my rubber stamps, sometimes I have to do this while standing above the surface; generally my chair.

Sometimes I cannot stand up, either my back will not straighten itself out or I have pains in my legs or feet; sciatica just finishes me off. None of which is ideal for a busy nurse, in a busy unit...
I can no longer lie on my right hand side in bed and if I lay on my left DG snores into my ear and keeps me awake. I don't sleep well on my back and people with ME/Fibromyalgia/CFS are not supposed to sleep on their stomachs. My legs seize and ache if I lie in a foetal position and my left hip goes into spasm for days on end.

My arms, elbows and wrists ache and keep me awake if I curl them up toward me. My sleep is non-restorative and leaves me feeling like I have been run over by a steam roller. It used to be a lot worse.

If I take my tablets on time and in the right doses I do get some relief, and then I think I am Superwoman. I look around at the devastation around me and try not to feel guilty.

I tell myself that I am doing my best and that in anycase it doesn't really matter. The housework will still be here when the boys have left home, in a few years time. Anyway, Quentin Crisp declared that "after the first four years you don't notice the dust!"

I notice the difference and despite the family being supportive and wonderfully patient; it does appear that it is me, 'The Mammy' who is expected to make the difference.

After my huge energy expenditure at the weekend (during the five mile hike) it's important that I take it 'handy' this week; allowing myself the opportunity to recoup. If I don't I will end up putting myself back into a place I do not want to be in.

I don't find the need to justify myself, I understand my condition and the effect that it has had on me. http:Unfortunately people on the outside looking in are unable to see what I see. Apart from the fact that the black pits around my eyes are a thing of the past and the fact that I have put on a couple of stone in weight; I look just the same as ever.

My five mile hike was probably easier on my aching body than traipsing around the National Ploughing Championship showground. At least my body was moving at a reasonable and constant pace for most of the time, instead of dawdling along very slowly and still for extended periods of time while looking at exhibits and waiting for other people to turn up. My body isn't able for that kind of abuse and painkillers were taken as a matter of urgency.

Maybe because I had consumed the pain-killers in advance of the hike,I was able to survive it. On the up-hill climb I had been ready to call it a day more than once; my thighs' on fire; pelvis creaking & groaning, lungs gasping for breath as I heaved my aching body higher & higher up the mountainside. Our guides were very kind and slowed the pace to allow me to catch up. I've been catching up ever since...

-----------------------------------------------

I hate the way my body has been behaving and resent that my being able to do something normal is such a challenge for me. I am proud of my achievements, however, and am determined that nothing is going to stop me from making a success of this part of my life; not even my own lack of confidence!

ME/Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition with chronic fatigue. It changes lives for the worst in many cases and just occasionally it can change things for the better.

Before this thing really got its grips into me I barely saw my family, I was always at work or on call. On my days off I was so tired that I lacked the energy to talk. I was prone to outbursts of temper and simply didn't have the reserves to change things. I was over-tired and under-weight,in chronic pain, stressed out and not myself.

Now that my body has decided to make this stop I am a different person altogether. I love my family and most of the time enjoy spending time with them. I have two dogs, a rat, a cat and a ferret; only the cat was possible before - they're more self sufficient.

My boys most certainly would not be participating in things like the scouts and gymnastics and the teachers in the school wouldn't even know my face. I would be better off financially though.

I used to dream of the day when I could afford to go job sharing. That day would never come, as I knew that I would never be able to afford to do it. It's just as well that we none of us know what the future holds, isn't it?

By the way I forgot to mention that the fourth reason for my blog is that I can let off steam! The only problem is that I didn't think it would take up so much of my time...


Luv Polly Px