Life

 I guess its coming up to the 1st year anniversary and I have to say that 2024 was one of my best and worst year's looking back.  In February 2024 my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. She would come to visit us at least 4 times a year for three to four weeks, but in 2023 she didn't come for her last visit.  She chose not to share her cancer with anyone but me and her male companion (which couldn't cope and left) once admitted to hospital!  I was at work and the hospital called me to notify me I needed to get there as soon as possible.  She had been suffering with bad chest infections, and not checked properly due to the covid back log. She then developed fluid on her lungs and was admitted to hospital, after collapsing at work.  This was the first I knew! I got the next flight and sat in cwmbran hospital until she finally woke up. She made a miraculous recovery and was sent home after ten days to recieve palliative care at home. They gave her 4 months ...

 The Spanish embrace any occasion to have a fiesta. Birthday, school end of year, wedding, baptism, saints, you name it they celebrate it. Children's parties in Spain have taken a while to get my head around. Thank god for whats app groups, so i can at least pretend to know what the heck I'm doing!  So let's start with the under 12's.  Invites come via a birthday party group. You are provided with the child's name, location, date and start time. NO END TIME. Notification the week prior, or a few days Before.  Parties are held at special birthday venues, of soft play, or in a park. Soft play i literally dread!!! Enclosed space, kids screaming and a load of chaos! The park ones are way more tolerable.  You are expected to respond to attending or leave the group. Next is the gift group. The parents will set the amount you are giving and the gift they want, or they will buy the gift out of the money.  A bizum is expected with the amount, 10-15 euros prior to th...