I’m still reading, whenever I can grab the time, and still trying to write reviews!

The girls are doing great – Beth had a good report at the end of year 7, and is now settling back into year 8. She’s joined Dartford’s U13 girls footie team, and they have a rather cool new pink kit..

Amy’s also received a brill report at the end of year 2, and skipped happily into year 3. To you and me, that means she’s gone from Infants to Juniors!

My mum has moved, I’m pleased to say she’s very happy in her new flat.

So.. if anyone is actually still reading this bog, what have I missed?!

For those who don’t know much about the flu vaccination programme, it is offered every year to the over 65′s, and to those in certain groups. These groups are generally those with underlying chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart problems etc. Rates of uptake are often disappointing, especially in the under 65′s.

In 2009 we saw the emergence of swine flu (H1N1), and a new vaccine was produced. The same groups were offered this vaccine, as well as all children 5 and under. Again, the uptake was poor, especially for these young children. I ran specific clinics to offer this vaccine, and they were all rather quiet.

In October 2010 we started the most recent flu vaccine program. The trivalent vaccine is made in advance, after tracking the strongest strains, and one of the strains this time is swine flu. Once again, this program started in October.. fridge’s were stacked with the vaccine, but uptake has been very low.. and again, the younger age range has been the least likely to come in.

Now the media are reporting a rise in the number of flu cases, with the majority being swine flu. This is actually to be expected – this is the time of year when we see flu, and we already know that swine flu is one of the prominent strains.

According to news reports, people are now desperate to get vaccinated, and they are having all sorts of problems. Most important to remember is that the vast majority of people who are particularly ill from flu, are those with underlying conditions, and pregnant women.. and these groups have been offered the vaccine since October.

For those who are generally healthy, the flu is not a nice illness, but it’s something you can take care of at home, and it will pass after a week or two. In an ideal world everyone would be offered a vaccine, but it’s just not possible. There is always the opportunity to get the vaccine privately – many supermarkets offer it for £15 or under.

The latest reports are now about a vaccine shortage. My understanding is that this is in certain pockets only at the moment. There needs to be a little organisation between GPs to share stock, and it certainly should not be given to those not in a risk group if numbers are running low.

The media is grabbing hold of this, finding stories, and twisting things around. For the majority of people, if you come into one of the categories recommended by the Dept of Health, you should be able to still go to your GP and get the vaccine. I would also advise that next winter people try to attend in October / November, as this is when stocks are high, and nurses set up clinics specifically to the vaccines done.

If you’re not in one of these categories, please don’t turn up at your GP, demanding the vaccine because the news says you should – as I have come across.

If you’re unfortunate enough to be in an area where there is a shortage, you’re in a risk group, and you haven’t yet had your jab, ask your surgery what alternatives are being set up.. can a chemist provide the vaccine for a prescription charge, are you willing to pay your local supermarket £15 to protect your health.. etc

Most importantly, don’t just accept everything you read / hear in the news, but find out the facts.. and don’t let them start up a panic.

I would recommend the BBC health blog – Fergus seems to consistently provide up to date, balance information.

P.S. Please note that these are my own views, backed up by experience as a practice nurse. I’m frustrated by the media coverage, and wanted to put across a different view.

Our first main day out was to Clacton, and thankfully we did well with the weather. There are some good rides on the pier, so armed with their wrist-bands, the girls had a good time. We also spent a short time on the rather crowded beach, and the Amy paddled in the sea.

Clacton Photos

Our other day out was to Colchester Zoo. Again, pretty good weather, and a fun time spotting the animals, but it was spoilt a little by some annoying wasps. They were all over the food areas, and the bins. We still managed to enjoy ourselves.

Colchester Zoo Photos

Other than that, we’ve been shopping for school uniform, bowling, and getting out on our bikes.. weather allowing! Amy is continuing to do well without stabilisers, Beth is enjoying her new bike, and my lovely mum bought me my own bike yesterday, so we can all go out together.

Until the girls are back at school, I’m only working one day a week, so we still have a little holiday left, even if poor hubby is at work. Mind you, in two and a half weeks, Amy will be heading back to school, and Beth will be starting her new one! The summer is going fast!

What have you been up to?

As my last post was about Bethany passing her 11+, that’s a good place to start. She was accepted to Dartford Grammar, and we’ve been busy getting her ready to go. The more I’ve thought about it, the more I think it suits her well there. We’ve been to some induction events, and they are very supportive of their news girls, so that’s good to know.

We’ve started buying some of the uniform and equipment she needs, and I’m trying not to add it all up in my head! She’s also working her way through some transition material.

Of course, moving on to ‘big school’ means leaving her primary school, which I’m finding emotional, never-mind Beth! lol  She’s had the leavers’ party and the leavers’ assembly, and today is her last ever day.

Her final report was a lovely one. She’s consistently above the national average, she did really well in her SATs, and the comments from her teacher were just lovely. She should be very proud of herself!

I’m also pleased to say The Little Madam (aka Amy) also had a very good report. She’s also consistently above average, and had some nice comments – although she apparently loves performing little dance shows out on the play ground! lol

As for us, it’s been quite eventful. Glen lost his dad last year, and they’ve been moving his mum into a lovely new sheltered flat.

I’ve left my permanent job, and am working self employed. It has it good and bad points, but I think the good is just about winning out. I also experienced a rather painful back earlier this year, which was very frightening. It sorted itself out with some diazepam and strong painkillers, but it’s left rather nervous of doing it again!

We also had a very ill cat (Hannah) earlier this year. She cost us quite a bit at the vets, but she’s doing great now.

I think that’s it…. I’ll try to get back sooner! :0)

That news was followed by a busy week, as we visited various schools, and went round and round in our decision making. I initially found the idea of a Grammar school rather scary, as I didn’t want her falling behind. Her marks, however, made me feel a bit better, and after a couple of visits, I finally decided that I needed to have faith in her abilities. (Plus, of course, I think the push (kick?!) she’ll receive there will be just what she needs!!)

So I now have to fill in the admissions form, with our four choices. All of our schools here are over-subscribed, so although I’ve been told her chances are excellent, you never know, so the extra choices are just are important. Then, we wait until March 1st (yes, my birthday!) to find out where she’s going. It’s a long wait, but hopefully it will pass quickly. And, now the stressful part is over, it’s quite exciting.

The exams are over, and Beth felt they went fairly well. She found it really hard to judge.. she didn’t finish all the questions on 2 of the papers, but then it was reported on the 11+ forum that quite a few people experienced the same.

We were aware that the head teachers actually get to see the results a few weeks before us.. and they are able to appeal against some decisions. This includes putting forward the child’s school work.. and Beth informed us yesterday that she had had to do her work on a piece of paper, because her books are all missing! Two others in her class were the same.. and all three had taken the exam.

So, I’ve now gone from being fairly laid back about it all, to being really anxious. If we’ve got it right.. it’s hard to think that she’s failed, but it’s good to know that her head teacher has that much faith in her. Plus of course, her future education could now be in the hands of a panel of local teachers!

The stress, mind you, does not stop there, as we’re now visiting the various secondary schools, and trying to make the decision as to where we should go. I don’t know about other areas, but every single school near us (including the not so good ones) are oversubscribed. It is possible that we could put down four schools on the form, and not get into any of them!!

If she passes (or gets through the appeal) there are two oversubscribed grammars near us. If not, there’s a popular Academy very near, one a bit further away, plus the local comprehensive. The bulk of children from her primary school go to the next door comp, but it’s not really where I want Beth to go.

On the 19th of Oct, we will get the 11+ result, and the application has to be in by 6th Nov. We visited one school last night, there’s another planned for Sat, plus some later in the month. It doesn’t give us long to take it all in, and make that decision.

The worse thing, however, is that we won’t find out where she’s going until March next year, and that seems like ages away!

Is anyone else going through this process.. or has been through it recently? What’s your area like.. are schools oversubscribed, or do you pretty much get your first choice?

As I’ve said elsewhere, my main concern over Twilight is the hype and obsession surrounding it. Despite people saying it’s actually not that well written, it’s LOVED by so many, and they can’t stop talking about it – especially on the forum!

When it comes to the actual book, I have heard things which I believe will greatly annoy me, but I obviously can’t say much until I’ve read it for myself.

Initial impressions? Well, I’ve read the first few chapters, and I have to say, the descriptions of the vamps are already very annoying. Ok, so they’re inhumanly beautiful.. I get it!!

Anyway, we’ll see how it goes.. don’t hit me if I criticise it, but I do promise that I’m trying my best to keep an open mind!

In addition, Beth recently attended the year 6 leaver’s disco, which had a ‘Hollywood’ theme. We decided on a Film Director, and this was how she looked:

Thank goodness that is over for a while! lol

I’m just NO good at that!

The theme is ‘Under the Sea’, and Amy being Amy, she wants to be a mermaid. So, today I’ve been shopping.. I bought a black and pink sarong in an adult size, then a gorgeous pink kids top, which has sparkly silver over it. The idea being with these two items is that we can get some use out of them at other times.

I’ve then added a a pink flower hair band, which she can wear on her wrist, and a flowery hair band; plus some silver crepe paper to make a silver tail.

I’m actually quite pleased with myself, and I’m praying that it all works when she tries it on!

An exciting Wednesday morning, huh? Still, I’m now catching up on some Voyager episodes, and I’m about to pull together the 1st guest post for the BCF Blog.

By the way, the new header to the blog is the view for just below my grandparent’s garden in Wales – lovely, isn’t it?