Are you ok? It's ok not to be ok. Ensure you talk to someone and be honest and open to seek help and support. We may all be struggling at the moment but just remember to let people know. 

Just decided to come back to chat, nothing specific just a quick podcast to say what's being going on and to try to give a little back ground on why so quiet over here on 'pull up a chair and let's talk care'. I hope to be back but I can not promise, I would not promise. However, today I'm back and that is all that matters so please take a moment and listen to what I have to say. Take care and remember sometimes it's all about taking one moment, one day at a time. Change is scary and life is a bloody journey. Just know we are all in it. 

PLANNING...who does it? Who is an avid planner that marks off every to do list and has a wall planner with colour coded notes or a content list of what's in the fridge or freezer? Who has a perfectly organised calendar? Well for me I don't I know my appointment which is good but other then that I am not a good planner and never have been but I have this beautiful planner that I am aiming to keep using. It is honestly beautiful (some sense to good to write in). So take a listen to the remake of perfectly planned and the remake of starting again. Just never worry if you stop and have to start again. I'm planning but my way and I will get there who said there needs to be perfection in planning? However, I need to decide on things and that is something I do aim to do. 

As a family we remember Grumpy Aka our husband, dad, grandad, great grandad he died today 3 years ago. For mum this would have been their 57th wedding anniversary and I say would have been but actually I should be saying 'IS'. Pull up a chair and lets talk care has been quiet but today I felt it was the ideal day to come back on and talk about grief and loss, reminding people that there is not right or wrong way to feel. That it is actually a crazy minefield of emotions that sometimes can be shocking but others can be glossed over because life and living needs to happen. However, you handle or don't handle is dependent on you and you support around you. What you must remember is it is okay not to be okay. It's okay to talk about your loss and share your grief and not to apologies for doing so. It's also ok to remind yourself how resilient you are and how strong you are. I'm reminding my mum how strong and amazing she is. 

Let's not kid ourselves folks it's going to be a bumpy ride but what it is going to be it's going to be yours. Because you are going to f***ing plan it for you and not bugger else. Stop looking at instagram and thinking what others are doing, yes get ideas but don't inspire to be. Just be you as you are good enough. Yes you may need to tweak or adjust or adapt but that's only if you want to or need to for you and for your needs and wants not for others. Pull up a chair and let's talk care is hanging in with its chatter, that flits and changes topics like it's underwear (daily don't worry). We will continue to talk care and more but we will be honest in all we discuss sometimes that my just be a rant, moan, or it maybe a absolute rejoice at the bloody amazing and inspirational work of all you who work within the care and health care industry that we need to do more of. I will also talk about attention to care which is my business, so more about me, yes me, I know more of me just what you want. Anyway this is just an opener to the new year 2022. Welcome, so now all of you grab those balls or whatever you want to grab hold on tight and enjoy the ride because I think just maybe this could be bumpy but also possibly awesome in many ways. Chat soon. 

Well it arrived at our door and we were not prepared for the ten ton trunk hitting us (that's how it felt to be fair). I realise we had it milder then others and we are so thankful that we did because if it had been any worse not sure I could have coped. however, here we are day 10 and on the road to recovery, it gave me time to reflect, wallow and moan (nothing new there really). It gave me more time really in fact!. However, I did spend sometime researching what's going on in care and other services and was shocked to read about levels of inspections and the grading at present and so I decided to do a podcast to share my thoughts. It's a bit random but hey so are many of my podcast so bare with and be kind because remember I have covid_19 so I am poorly. Be gentle but take a listen and know that we are in a bit of shit but we can do better. By the way sorry for the swearing but honestly just 2 bad words. 

It's a tricky time for many in social care and sometimes the the stories that filter down on social media just have you placing your head in your hands and shaking you head in disbelief. It has been like that for may the last few years in social care but more so in the last few months. However, yesterday and today I just felt like 'for f**k sake really' with the Matt Hancock story and then the story about the hike in hourly rate for nurses from agencies I just felt things are just at an all time shit show. Don't get me wrong they were already there but things seem to spiral and I need to get it out of my mind and that what you get a podcast that is full of my thoughts. Take a listen and just know it's really just a 'MIND DUMP'. Hey its important to know though. 

Be ware what comes out of your mouth can impact on someone's wellbeing, ability and self esteem. It can have a bearing on the image we show people and the interpretation of care in general. Just me saying what I'm thinking and sharing my thoughts after reading all your posts on social media about the terms you use. All I ask is just take a moment to think before you speak, label and judge. Don't allow the words you use to prevent someone being able to achieve outcomes. 

Well it's been a while and well there is no excuse except I was feeling sorry for myself because no one is listening (haha) well not many. However, I have decided this podcast is more about what I gain from it also, and so if it allows me to get what I want off my chest then it it worth continuing. So here is is another chat from the Sluice to wet your appetite again. I will be looking for guest people so if you fancy a chat contact me. Care, politics, life, mental health or just a general chat about being here let me know and we can organise. So come on why not contact me on [email protected]