Le Chemin Positif

We spent a perfect weekend in Brittany last week, the north coast continues to fascinate us - so much so that we will be returning again soon.

Somehow our work has just become crazy, even though we only look after one holiday let these days... A few of our regular local customers have also had relatives staying & so our job has become one big clean up. Along with 2 second homes needing to be blitzed, ready for their owners' arrival... It all just seems never ending, especially when in the mix - Bebe is agitated about this, that & the other. So just over a week ago, we both felt like we needed to escape... Bebe going into respite just wasn't enough, staying at home is nice - but we know that we will carry on doing stuff, things that need doing & which don't get done because we are either working or caring for Bebe. We were both exhausted & needed to be completely away from home, so for us - the perfect pick me up is to get our French fix!

Neither of us can remember the last time we did nothing other than read or sit around listening to music, because every time we have a break from Bebe & work - we feel the need to fill it, making the most of our little bit of freedom. Going to France was again filling our time, but we also had 6 hours on the ferry each way & we were at last able to take the opportunity to completely relax. No phone calls, no internet - just books, beds & a kettle! Bliss!!!

Unless you care for someone with dementia, you just don't know how mentally exhausting it can be & more so when your line of work is physically demanding too. We made the decision to do everything we do, but that doesn't make it any easier... Bebe isn't enjoying her weekend with us, as we both have been pottering about trying to get things done & even as I write, she wants my constant attention... She's folded all the laundry & is now on edge, Sime made the right decision to disappear into the jam room & I'm fed up of going over & over the same old ground... "No you don't have your Mother's electric heater", "No it's not winter, it's summer - it's over 70 degrees!", "Yes your pension is still paid into your bank", "It's Sunday", "No I don't have a middle name" "I know we are boring", "No you are not stuck in". Phew & now quiet for a couple of minutes, before I repeat these all over again for the umpteenth time ...

Tomorrow we finally have a community psychiatric nurse visiting, it's only taken 9 months... She reckons she will be able to advise us on ways to occupy Bebe & distract her when agitated... Hahaha - we shall see!

On a more positive note, Bebe is physically well - more mobile & maintaining good health, she's finally getting an ongoing gynae problem sorted after 30+ years of suffering, which is great. Our work remains plentiful & we're able to drop one of our irritating customers - replacing it with a better job. We continue to help people who are in need of support, most of whom are incredibly grateful for everything we do. We both have good health (just get tired from all that we do) & we are happy. We still live in a beautiful place, love working & being together... The kidlets are all happy & we are so proud that they not only all have the ability to achieve in everything they do, but that they continue to be lovely, caring independent buddies who are not frightened to make changes to enhance their lives... So there you go - life is actually good! We may get tired & feel that times are sometimes tough, but as soon as we start to think about the good stuff, we realise just how a bit of positive thinking can change everything...

As well as hugging, singing, laughing, jumping out on each other...

And stuffing our faces!

Fun in our lives is so important... Hope you are getting enough!

Kay & Sime

xx