It's the simple things...

In talks with Alan's support team, we've been having discussions about shift patterns.  

In a normal day there are usually two shifts covering 9am - 11pm. That works out fine, but the team had said it would be good for each of them to have one shift a week where each of them did the full number of hours in a day so that Alan had the freedom to go out for the whole day, and not have to return home to facilitate a change in shift.  We agreed to trial this till the end of the year and it's been going really well.  

Of course, the downside is when illness strikes (as it did today and L was unable to work her shift) and no one is able to cover the shift, it means Alan is stuck with us.  Thankfully he didn't seem too put out at the prospect of that.  

This afternoon he went with D to take part again in a communication group that's been set up by the Speech Therapist.  This was only the second week but he enjoyed it last week and was happy to go back.  They meet in a local cafe and although the aim is to get the young people practicing their communication skills, it's all very casual and low key and most importantly, fun.  Alan really enjoyed it and D says he was fully engaged with the conversation.

When the group ended Alan wasn't quite ready to come home so him and D ended up in another cafe, D having coffee and banana loaf and Alan having his refreshments.   When Alan saw D's phone sitting on the table he wanted D to text Gill and Kirsten to say hello.  He was very happy when they replied.  Spookily when Gill received Alan's text, she was in the middle of texting me to arrange to meet up for lunch on Thursday!

In the meantime I stayed home with Lola, who was rather soggy after her walk with R!   I also wanted to have some fun with the 60D that AP had borrowed over the summer and returned on Saturday. 

I opened my camera bag to change the lens and got a lovely surprise.  Inside was a handmade tea light holder made by AP (who has recently taken up pottery) to say thanks for the loan of the camera.  It's one of the first pieces he made and being a fellow KB fanatic, he has etched some lyrics from one of my favourite KB songs into the clay.  I love it!  Isn't it funny how the simplest of gifts can bring the most pleasure :-)

In other news, I have a conundrum.  We have been invited to a wedding on 29th December.  It's taking place in a Brewery.  Everything, marriage ceremony included will be taking place in the Brewery.  It's a very "in" place apparently.  We are friends with the groom (he's younger than us, in his mid thirties) and we've only met the bride once.  The invitation is "quirky" and not in anyway traditional. 

 So my question is this...what on earth does a woman wear to a wedding taking place in a Brewery between Christmas and New Year, where the bride and groom are younger than us and a bit "West End" and all indicators  so far seem to lead to the conclusion that it's not going to be a typical wedding experience?  Thoughts / suggestions / fashion advice gratefully received! :-)

You men have it so easy! 

PS I hope all of you lovely blippers with pets are having a peaceful Bonfire night and your furbabies aren't getting too stressed with the fireworks.  Lola wasn't bothered by them last year and so far this year we haven't heard a single one.  Hoping it stays that way.  Sales of fireworks to the public should be banned!