This week has been absolute chaos and disarray. The only consolation is that we chose this chaos and the end result will be worth it. We had a team of builders arrive on Monday and they made wonderful progress! The bathroom feature wall tiles were up the first day and the tiny powder room sink was installed the second day. The powder room is an understairs tiny space so we wanted to keep it simple.

By yesterday afternoon when they left, the first coat of paint was complete over the entire downstairs, most of the ceiling cornices are up and it is looking a bit of a dusty mess. Just because of the nature of the work, not due to the workers. The workers are ever so tidy!

While the workers were here I sequestered upstairs in our bedroom with the dogs. Finn challenged one of the painters when they arrived, so we locked him away for their safety and as the gates were open to the street, Poppy was locked in for her own safety. I could not be downstairs due to the noise, dust and activity. I watched my training videos and took my fresh air on the balcony. I even had a video meeting from my bed dressed in PJs with bright red lippy. I am so grateful to have this view of the back of Table Mountain to calm me.

After the workmen left I sat outside and watched the birds that I have been feeding apple bits. While I watched them in their little Bamboo feeder I thought it looked like a Canoe being rowed by birds. A Bamboo Canoe, a Bamboo Food Canoe. That phrase is so delightful to my brain and repeating it calmed me.

I had a client who was interested in contracting me, however they wanted someone on site and I am not willing to work in a huge open plan office again. I have written to the Neurodiversity Centre to ask if they can give me a letter for autism accommodations specifying that I need to work from home. This has all added to the anxiety this week, the fear I get made redundant if I do not accept going in, or that I do get forced to go into the city every day.

Yesterday we managed to decide on our schedule as Norm has to urgently go to the UK so he has now booked that trip, we had to book the movers to come and move our furniture out for the floors to be done, then move it back afterwards and they have been booked. We booked the builder to return after the floor is finished to apply the skirting boards, install the new toilet and complete the other bits which were dependent on the floor being completed.

We have to be out of the house completely for 7 days while the floor is done. Norm has decided to make up a camp for himself in the outside room. We can put a small fridge, a kettle and toaster out for him. There is already a TV and a fold out bed and a bathroom with a shower. The outside patio can be his sitting area. The dogs and Blue kitty can stay home with him. It will not be convenient but it will be functional for a week. We cannot face putting Blue into a cattery, he is too old and ornery and would be miserable. While Norm is doing that, I have booked a flight to George to see Lily, Josh and Amelia. Everything is now booked for the next two months!

We also have my birthday and Bree’s birthday in September when all of the family will be staying with me. It is all go. At least when they come to visit the house will be finished!!!

The chaos continues at the end of the year as we will be in the US for Christmas, back in SA for a party on the 28th, then our little grandson is due on January 1st.

This week on social media was someone talking about their child chewing their hair as a stim. I knew that as a child I had a stim with my hands that I was always being told off about but cannot remember specifically what it was, just being told to ‘keep your hands still’ which is probably when I started stimming with my toes, a stim which I still do. But I remember chewing my hair. I had hair down to my butt and I would pop a chunk in my mouth and leave it there for days. I would sleep with it in my mouth. In fact, the hair would actually grow into a pore on my tongue and have to be cut out. No one believes this, but I remember it happening so many times as a child and being ashamed to have to say I needed help sorting it out. And no one realised I was autistic??

Anyway. Everyday I think of something that was due to my AuDHD that I never realised was due to that and sometimes it is hard to think about. However what I am trying to do is to tell Little Lisa that I understand her, she is not a freak and that everything will turn out alright.

Meanwhile, I tell Big Lisa that whatever she wants to say, she can say it, whatever she wants to repeat incessantly, she can do that. I am just trying to accept myself, as I am, Bamboo Canoe and all.

Until next time, Kisses from the Kitten xoxoxoxoxo