Thank you all so much for all the kind thoughts and prayers you have sent our way in the past few weeks. I am still in Alder Hey Childrens Hospital with my little angel and though it can’t be helped I wanted to tell you how sorry I am that BrocanteHome has come to such a sudden holt.
As most of you know Finley has been a little unwell for a while: not in a dramatic way, but just not himself, and if you look at the photograph above you will see that his stomach is bloated more than it should be, and this little beer belly is the cause of all our worries…
This week has been the scariest of my life, but as each serious illness is ticked off we are beginning to feel calmer and it is entirely possible that he may be suffering from something as simple as a very constipated tummy: but until all the tests are complete we can’t be sure.The Doctors have been wonderful, and as Alder Hey is famous for, have taken the upmost care with our precious little boy. He isn’t in any pain at all, and he is, as always an absolute joy: kissing the nurses Good Morning, and as protocol demands shaking the hand of the rather stuffy consultant, and giggling whenever he calls him "Sir". In short, he seems to view our ward, and teeny tiny room as our holiday home and is having a fine old time, though even he agrees the food isn’t up to much!!
If only I felt the same. The past six nights have been hell. I am exhausted and empty and frightened and bored. Wonderful as it is, the NHS works at a snails pace and the facilities leave a lot to be desired (my bed is in a cupboard!!). There is only so much puttering you can do on an ugly hospital ward, however the routines and rituals I adore are the mainstay of a childrens ward and I am starting to look forward to tea and toast time with glee…
We are ok. So please don’t worry. Whatever it is, the doctors assure me that it is fixable and in the end all I care about is that after having been rehydrated, Finley, though lacking in energy due to the fact that he can’t eat, is in essence back to his scrumptious little self, and each night I am having the sheer joy of lying next to my little boy and listening to him breathe as we sleep…
Nothing lasts forever: thats what I keep telling myself- we’ll be home before we know it and life will return to normal. Bear with me?
Create your own Brocante Life Book, plan Christmas, set up routines and rituals or live life the BrocanteHome way with my guided workbooks and planners.
Happy Friday Honey Pie’s, it is almost September and after a hectic month I am only just getting around to sharing my favorite treats from the July edition of the Puttery Post. In the same vein, the next week looks set to…
Puttery Treats just For You…… It’s puttery treat time Housekeepers and here I am with a little list of lovely little somethings to warm up these chilly winter evenings. Enjoy… * Add a generous shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream to your bedtime…
"I dream of a home with a hearth- fire in it, a cat and a dog, the footsteps of friends- and you!" Lucy Ward Montgomery. Other Things To Do At BrocanteHome Browse the Bookstore Discover a curated list of books to enhance…
When your head feels muddly with all the billion and one things you have got to do, and the twenty thousand others you probably won’t get around to, when life feels like the kind of steep stairs a person could develop vertigo…
Oh dear. I’ve known about Polyvore since the day it opened it’s doors and knowing myself as I do, thought it best avoided, if I was to get anything done at all. And then today I was all curled up on the…
Ok, I want you to stop whatever you are doing, right now and go see "Urban Prairie". There isn’t any point in me raving hysterically about how utterly wonderful it is. I want you to see for yourself… Any site with the…
12 Comments
Dear Alison ~ simply put You are a wonderful mother to a special little boy…nuff said. You're so right ~ nothing lasts forever ~ Take all the time you need…kali xx
We're praying that the doctors can pinpoint little Finn's illness very soon. And that you and Mark can feel normalcy again in the very near future. You're loved…all over the world.
darling sweet Alison – thanks so much for taking the time to let us know! will keep you all in my prayers, thoughts and my heart – til you can come back and guide your vintage housekeepers – love & hugs always x x x
Oh, honey, Thanks for letting us share in what has been happening. You and Finley are among friends here, and although we miss you SO much, we truly understand and want you to take all the time you need to get to feeling better AND your scrumptious little boy. It is good to hear from you and to hear that the dreadful illnesses are ruled out… Having a Brocante/Vintage lifestyle is actually the backbone of a Brocante Vintage way of life, philosophy, and living. As I suspected, you rise to the challenge both in your little sweet nest and out in the windy, chilly, and very scary world. What a wonderful wife and mommy you are. Take care of all you love, and please take care of yourself as well… Here's to a happy homecoming SOON! Love always and a day, Gayla
Oh dear Alison … thank you so much for the update. And so pleased to hear that, although you've been through a difficult time, whatever it is is 'fixable'. Yep, having spent numerous nights in makeshift hospital beds beside an unwell baby, I hope your stay is over with soon … My mantra during those bad times has always been "This too shall pass … this too shall pass". All my love and hugs from across the world.
Oh Allison, I wish there was something that I could do to make you and Finn more comfortable. I'm so glad that he's happy and hungry (always a good sign!) and that you can be with him through all this.
Ali, It is so good to hear news about Finley. He seems like such a wonderful little boy. Bless his heart and yours. Take care, and make the best of your time together there at the hospital. Love, Susana
My 9ys and 4yd have prayed for little Finn every night. And I have said a special prayer for Mom. I pray you can feel the love and prayers that are being offered for your special family!
Love to you Alison* Hang in there girlie little Fin is a toughy and he will be himself again soon. Been praying loads in my mind but not a lot of time lately to post on the forum. xoxooox
Oh Alison! I just now found this post ~ I haven't been on any forums for weeks. I've been praying all along for you and your sweet little one, and after reading your note I am so relieved to hear it is something that can be cured and is not serious. Hugs from me and my little ones to you and your precious Fin! -Louise
Oh Alison ~ I just now found your note (I haven't been able to read the forum for weeks). I've been praying all along for you and your little one, and now I am relieved to hear it is nothing serious and can be corrected! Lots and lots of prayers and love and hugs from my little ones and me, to you and your precious Fin!
{"id":null,"mode":"form","open_style":"in_place","currency_code":"USD","currency_symbol":"$","currency_type":"decimal","blank_flag_url":"https:\/\/brocantehome.net\/wp-content\/plugins\/tip-jar-wp\/\/assets\/images\/flags\/blank.gif","flag_sprite_url":"https:\/\/brocantehome.net\/wp-content\/plugins\/tip-jar-wp\/\/assets\/images\/flags\/flags.png","default_amount":300,"top_media_type":"featured_image","featured_image_url":"http:\/\/brocantehome.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/tipjar-2.png","featured_embed":"","header_media":null,"file_download_attachment_data":null,"recurring_options_enabled":true,"recurring_options":{"never":{"selected":true,"after_output":"One time only"},"weekly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every week"},"monthly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every month"},"yearly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every year"}},"strings":{"current_user_email":"","current_user_name":"","link_text":"Leave a tip","complete_payment_button_error_text":"Check info and try again","payment_verb":"Pay","payment_request_label":"BrocanteHome","form_has_an_error":"Please check and fix the errors above","general_server_error":"Something isn't working right at the moment. Please try again.","form_title":"BrocanteHome","form_subtitle":"Help Me to Keep BrocanteHome Online","currency_search_text":"Country or Currency here","other_payment_option":"Other payment option","manage_payments_button_text":"Manage your payments","thank_you_message":"Thank you so much: helping me keep Brocantehome online really means the world to me.","payment_confirmation_title":"BrocanteHome","receipt_title":"Your Receipt","print_receipt":"Print Receipt","email_receipt":"Email Receipt","email_receipt_sending":"Sending receipt...","email_receipt_success":"Email receipt successfully sent","email_receipt_failed":"Email receipt failed to send. Please try again.","receipt_payee":"Paid to","receipt_statement_descriptor":"This will show up on your statement as","receipt_date":"Date","receipt_transaction_id":"Transaction ID","receipt_transaction_amount":"Amount","refund_payer":"Refund from","login":"Log in to manage your payments","manage_payments":"Manage Payments","transactions_title":"Your Transactions","transaction_title":"Transaction Receipt","transaction_period":"Plan Period","arrangements_title":"Your Plans","arrangement_title":"Manage Plan","arrangement_details":"Plan Details","arrangement_id_title":"Plan ID","arrangement_payment_method_title":"Payment Method","arrangement_amount_title":"Plan Amount","arrangement_renewal_title":"Next renewal date","arrangement_action_cancel":"Cancel Plan","arrangement_action_cant_cancel":"Cancelling is currently not available.","arrangement_action_cancel_double":"Are you sure you'd like to cancel?","arrangement_cancelling":"Cancelling Plan...","arrangement_cancelled":"Plan Cancelled","arrangement_failed_to_cancel":"Failed to cancel plan","back_to_plans":"\u2190 Back to Plans","update_payment_method_verb":"Update","sca_auth_description":"Your have a pending renewal payment which requires authorization.","sca_auth_verb":"Authorize renewal payment","sca_authing_verb":"Authorizing payment","sca_authed_verb":"Payment successfully authorized!","sca_auth_failed":"Unable to authorize! Please try again.","login_button_text":"Log in","login_form_has_an_error":"Please check and fix the errors above","uppercase_search":"Search","lowercase_search":"search","uppercase_page":"Page","lowercase_page":"page","uppercase_items":"Items","lowercase_items":"items","uppercase_per":"Per","lowercase_per":"per","uppercase_of":"Of","lowercase_of":"of","back":"Back to plans","zip_code_placeholder":"Zip\/Postal Code","download_file_button_text":"Download File","input_field_instructions":{"tip_amount":{"placeholder_text":"How much would you like to tip?","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"How much would you like to tip? Choose any currency."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"How much would you like to tip? Choose any currency."},"invalid_curency":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please choose a valid currency."}},"recurring":{"placeholder_text":"Recurring","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"}},"name":{"placeholder_text":"Name on Credit Card","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter the name on your card."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter the name on your card."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please enter the name on your card."}},"privacy_policy":{"terms_title":"Terms and conditions","terms_body":null,"terms_show_text":"View Terms","terms_hide_text":"Hide Terms","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"I agree to the terms."},"unchecked":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please agree to the terms."},"checked":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"I agree to the terms."}},"email":{"placeholder_text":"Your email address","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"not_an_email_address":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Make sure you have entered a valid email address"}},"note_with_tip":{"placeholder_text":"Your note here...","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"empty":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"not_empty_initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"saving":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Saving note..."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Note successfully saved!"},"error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Unable to save note note at this time. Please try again."}},"email_for_login_code":{"placeholder_text":"Your email address","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."}},"login_code":{"initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."}},"stripe_all_in_one":{"initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"success":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"invalid_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is not a valid credit card number."},"invalid_expiry_month":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration month is invalid."},"invalid_expiry_year":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration year is invalid."},"invalid_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is invalid."},"incorrect_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is incorrect."},"incomplete_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is incomplete."},"incomplete_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is incomplete."},"incomplete_expiry":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration date is incomplete."},"incomplete_zip":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's zip code is incomplete."},"expired_card":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card has expired."},"incorrect_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is incorrect."},"incorrect_zip":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's zip code failed validation."},"invalid_expiry_year_past":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration year is in the past"},"card_declined":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card was declined."},"missing":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"There is no card on a customer that is being charged."},"processing_error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"An error occurred while processing the card."},"invalid_request_error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Unable to process this payment, please try again or use alternative method."},"invalid_sofort_country":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The billing country is not accepted by SOFORT. Please try another country."}}}},"fetched_oembed_html":false}
Dear Alison ~ simply put You are a wonderful mother to a special little boy…nuff said.
You're so right ~ nothing lasts forever ~
Take all the time you need…kali xx
We're praying that the doctors can pinpoint little Finn's illness very soon. And that you and Mark can feel normalcy again in the very near future.
You're loved…all over the world.
oh i'm so sorry to hear that. my thoughts are with you and your family. best wishes.
darling sweet Alison – thanks so much for taking the time to let us know! will keep you all in my prayers, thoughts and my heart – til you can come back and guide your vintage housekeepers – love & hugs always x x x
Oh, honey,
Thanks for letting us share in what has been happening. You and Finley are among friends here, and although we miss you SO much, we truly understand and want you to take all the time you need to get to feeling better AND your scrumptious little boy. It is good to hear from you and to hear that the dreadful illnesses are ruled out… Having a Brocante/Vintage lifestyle is actually the backbone of a Brocante Vintage way of life, philosophy, and living. As I suspected, you rise to the challenge both in your little sweet nest and out in the windy, chilly, and very scary world. What a wonderful wife and mommy you are. Take care of all you love, and please take care of yourself as well… Here's to a happy homecoming SOON! Love always and a day, Gayla
Oh dear Alison … thank you so much for the update. And so pleased to hear that, although you've been through a difficult time, whatever it is is 'fixable'. Yep, having spent numerous nights in makeshift hospital beds beside an unwell baby, I hope your stay is over with soon … My mantra during those bad times has always been "This too shall pass … this too shall pass".
All my love and hugs from across the world.
Oh Allison, I wish there was something that I could do to make you and Finn more comfortable. I'm so glad that he's happy and hungry (always a good sign!) and that you can be with him through all this.
Ali, It is so good to hear news about Finley. He seems like such a wonderful little boy. Bless his heart and yours. Take care, and make the best of your time together there at the hospital. Love, Susana
My 9ys and 4yd have prayed for little Finn every night. And I have said a special prayer for Mom. I pray you can feel the love and prayers that are being offered for your special family!
Love to you Alison* Hang in there girlie little Fin is a toughy and he will be himself again soon. Been praying loads in my mind but not a lot of time lately to post on the forum. xoxooox
Oh Alison! I just now found this post ~ I haven't been on any forums for weeks. I've been praying all along for you and your sweet little one, and after reading your note I am so relieved to hear it is something that can be cured and is not serious. Hugs from me and my little ones to you and your precious Fin!
-Louise
Oh Alison ~ I just now found your note (I haven't been able to read the forum for weeks). I've been praying all along for you and your little one, and now I am relieved to hear it is nothing serious and can be corrected! Lots and lots of prayers and love and hugs from my little ones and me, to you and your precious Fin!