I am a little late with my diary of a menopausal mum post this week. I do have a very good reason which I will share with you below. It has certainly been one of those weeks. I hope your week has been a little easier than mine.
Table of Contents
Education
As you are all aware by now C has a chronic illness, this is hard enough for her. Sadly, like everything this makes normal daily living even harder. You all know our ongoing battle with her college application.
Just to recap, C applied to go to a local college in September when her course finishes. Her application was accepted, and she went for a meet and great afternoon. Where she spoke to he tutors and did a few tests etc. Everyone was happy with C and how she would manage. The next day she got an offer of a place on the course. Then a few weeks ago I received an email, withdrawing the offer. I went into crazed mum mode, and after a lot of speaking with our support team, and me quoting disability discrimination at every opportunity. The decision was based on her previous years EHCP.
This made sense, as a lot has changed in the past year. Her new one is now finalised and been sent of this week for the offer to be reconsidered.
Another Set Back
Yesterday, C and the rest of the course applicants, were invited to spend a day, getting to know everyone and understanding more about the course. On Monday evening, I received an email, from one of my support team who had spoken to the person who withdrew the offer. Basically saying C, could go along but on the understanding no offer is in place. How did she think that would make her feel. I read the email to C, and she broke down, and did not want to go for the day, which we totally supported. I managed to calm her down and made her one of my special hot chocolates, and we had a long chat. We are waiting to see what happens next, but I have come up with a plan B.
A Bit Of A Tumble
Last Friday, I was worn out, so decided to get a takeaway for tea on Deliveroo. Before I start I live on a very busy main road, and I live in a house. I also put directions of where not to go ie the BP Garage.
I had notification that my delivery was on its way, so I was looking out, 20 minutes later, I get a message I am in reception can you meet me. So the conversation was going back and forth, with me saying I live in a house and you are not outside, and I do not have a reception area. He said he could not understand me, so I sent a message, I had no idea where he was as the map had gone off as well.
So, while arguing with the driver, and onto their live chat complaining and saying I want to cancel as my fish and chips would be stone cold. one of my dogs, who hates next doors dog, and vice versa. Was jumping up at the wall, I went out to get him in, and then next doors dog started again, and mine was back up the garden. I stormed up there not looking, and fell hard. Omg the pain, I could barely walk the next day. And yes I did swear and let my neighbours know I was not impressed. Today is the first day, I could walk up and down the stairs properly, but still need support on my wrist.
What I Have Been Loving This Week
Chocolate That Is Good For You
One thing I am guilty of is snacking, especially when stressed. Which is why I was intrigued to try Nick’s range of bars.
Nick’s is a no-added-sugar confectionery brand born in Sweden that wants everyone to enjoy the delicious things in life, without the bad stuff. Nick’s launched in the UK last autumn. With their range of chocolate vegan bars and protein bars.
- Crunchy Caramel
- Soft Toffee
- Peanuts ‘n’ Fudge
- Coconut
The bars contain no added sugar, gluten orr palm oil, which are great for those wanting a chocolate fix but not the calories. They are also perfect for those with allergies, diabetics. You can find them inn WH Smiths, Amazon or though Nick’s website where you can purchase multipack boxes.
What Did I think
I do love chocolate, and often get disappointed by the versions that are meant to be better for you. In the interest of giving an honest opinion, we all sat down and tried them, although C did not try the coconut bar as she doesn’t like coconut for some strange reason. My husband, knowing they are not a normal chocolate bar, hated them all. If I kept it quiet, he would have enjoyed them. C had no idea what they were, apart from me telling her they were a new chocolate brand. We both liked them, and they do give you that chocolate fix. I would definitely buy them again, especially as recent blood tests showed I am pre-diabetic so watching what I eat at the moment.
New Cookware
One thing I love is decent cookware, when I am cooking. Slowly over the years, I have managed to build up a lovely collection. I love dishes that can be used on the hob and also in the oven. I was recently sent the MasterClass 2.5 L Cast Aluminium Casserole Dish shown above to review.
If this was in the winter, I would be using it to make my liver and bacon casserole, or chicken soup, you can find the recipes here. But as it is warmer weather, I have been using it to make my easy chicken risotto and pesto pasta. I have also made a lovely savoury rice in it.
The casserole dish is part of MasterClass Cast Aluminium collection. Although being lightweight compared to others I have tried, the casserole dish is still heavy duty. The Casserole dish comes in various sizes. I was sent the 2.5 litre dish. With the dish being made of aluminium, it is a great heat conductor, meaning your food will cook quickly and evenly.
The coating is scratch proof and non stick, and is a breeze to clean. If you love creating mouth watering dishes, and looking for new cookware, this is the casserole dish for you.
Have You Seen My Latest Giveaways?
I have had two giveaways go live this week:-
Win a LCD Drawing Tablet and Win The Upside Down Challenge Game, plus I have more giveaways coming soon, so keep checking back.
I hope you all had a great week.
That is so sad about the offer being withdrawn, I would go into crazed mum mode too. Bless her. Sorry about your fall, if it makes you feel better, I had a fall a week ago too and could hardly walk all week, had to phone in sick at work the next day and struggled all week. This week is a new week and hopefully pain free for us both!.
Sorry you had a fall as well, it does hurt doesn’t it. I was a crazed mum but we now have the offer
Aww I’m sorry to hear you got hurt. And I hate when the delivery drivers get lost. Worse when they deliver to the wrong house!
I am recovering fine now thank you, I would not mind but I live on a busy main road and so easy to find
I am sorry to hear that you were having a week that’s full of struggle. Hope you have a wonderful week ahead.
Thank you, hopefully things will be a lot calmer, apart from C’s education still
So sorry to hear about your fall but I’m glad you’re recovering well. Something new always helps brighten up my day…and those bars look very yummy!
It was my own fault mix of being in a temper and not looking what I was doing, I love getting new things and chocolate always makes my day
I can’t believe it still isn’t sorted with C’s application. you’d have thought they would have given a place considering she showed herself to be more than capable.
It sounds like you had a bad fall, I hope you recover soon x
I know I honestly thought things were getting easier and then they do this. The college do have updated EHCP now and were chased again today regarding an update. It did hurt and still a bit sore, then stupidly thought I would not wrist support today and in pain again, but was helping with our new sofa so am stupid really and my own fault
I can’t believe the problems you are having with your daughter’s college. In this day and age, you think there would be more support with being will illnesses and disabilities.
I honestly thought it was going ok, sadly there seems to be discrimination still. We are still waiting for the college to come back to us after reconsideration
Your new cookware looks great, it’s making me want to get a new set now! I like the sound of the chocolate, I’m keen to try it!
I love new cookware and always make that extra effort with meals in new cookware as well for some reason. I can recommend the chocolate
I really hope C gets her offer soon as I can’t imagine how disappointed she must be feeling. Deliveroo customer service are pretty rubbish aren’t they?! Hope you’re not in any pain now x
I hope so as well, she has gone through so much and really thought we were over all the fighting and battles. Deliveroo are getting worse but it seems to be the delivery drivers at the moment. Pain is getting better
Oh I am so sorry to hear about your hip. Sounds like a nasty fall. I hope you recover soon and take it easy.
Poor C. She is already going through so much and then to get rejected an offer is the last thing she needs, If only a hot chocolate can fix everything. But at least she knows you’re on her side and forever supporting her.
I did go down hard, my side and hip are a lot better but still bruised and painful but my wrist still hurts and gets achy still, but am going without the support today if I can.
Honestly, it is constant the battles we have, am hoping that she will get her offer back but if not just shows how much having a chronic illness is taken against you
Sounds so unfair to be offered a place and have it withdrawn ! You both must be raging
C is upset, but it can still be put back, I on the other hand am fuming and everyone knows it
It sounds like you have had a very tough week. Hope you have a more relaxing weekend
That is unfortunate that happened 🙁 I feel like with errors like this if they know for a fact the person in question is a good student or they think they’d do well at their school that they should stick with the offer.
Believe me I have said all this, we do have a great support team from our local area who also are trying their hardest to get this for her
It sounds like it’s been a week! I think we all have weeks like this. The next one will be better!
It is every week lately, but always look at the positives
I am sorry the week has been challenging but you got this…You’re a super mom…On the bright side, these healthy chocolate flavors seem delicious…I want them all…Crunchy Caramel, Soft Toffee, and Peanuts ‘n’ Fudge are my all-time favorite.
It has been a challenging week, but I survived haha. I can not really say which I liked the most as they were all lovely and flavours I go for.
Oh man, sounds like it’s been a rough week. I hope you get everything figured out for school and also start feeling better after the fall.
Thank you, we just have to wait, but poor C really broke down the other night after that email.
I have been in so many near accidents because of dogs I feel your pain! Big changes afoot for your daughter. We love Nick’s here too and I’ve just bought a massive box of their cookie dough protein bars.
As lovely as they are, drive me mad at times, he did come and see if I was ok when I fell so at least it stopped him, although trying to get up with an excisted German Shepherd thinking you are playing is not what I needed. I need to trry their cookie dough protein bars now x