Update

The second year of my law degree officially starts in 2 days time (ok technically it starts tomorrow seeing as it is past midnight).  I have been busy preparing for the course to start and checking that all the forums, software and databases are working.

I have also been asked to crochet a blanket for a wheelchair user (in the same colours as the rainbow poncho)  I’ve been inspired by ChrissyFresh: A Granny A Day Project and have decided that I am going to crochet enough granny squares to make this blanket – I have a plan and know exactly what colours I’m using for each square, I just have to find the time to get the hooks out.  I currently have 3 squares for the blanket (pics up soon) and I am also doing a rainbow blanket for Elise.

My eldest son, Ryan, has been unwell this week, I received a phone call from his school on Monday morning and I had to pick him up.  We got half way home and he decided he was going to vomit all over the inside of my car and down the windows too as he tried to get his head out the window – poor kid was so upset and kept apologising to me because he had made a mess.

In between being a ‘nurse’ to Ryan I have been taking in an engagement party dress – I have been horrified at the construction of this dress and, although it does look absolutely beautiful from the outside, the stitching quality and fabric placement has been just awful.  I did a fitting tonight after band practise and just need to do a couple of minor adjustments for a final fitting on Sunday, which should also be the time I hand it back and think myself lucky I won’t have to see it again (here’s hoping).

Talking of band practise, the little girl I’m teaching to play cornet is making me so proud, and is now on a planned introduction to the band rehearsal, she should hopefully be playing out with them in 5 weeks time when the band is next responsible for providing the music in our morning Church service.

I will hopefully get the book reviews out the way tomorrow (or should that be later today?) I haven’t slept yet so it’s still today (Thursday).  Will have to arm myself with Twitter and my Kindle so I can refresh my mind on the books and get the reviews done.  I honestly haven’t forgotten that I have a back-log, it’s just someone has hidden the life-remote-control and life is currently running on fast-forward.  I wish someone would return the life-remote-control so I can press pause for a few minutes and get some peace.

30 Things About Me:

https://jdaviesx.wordpress.com/about/30-things-about-me/

This was a Twitter trend and I decided to write this up on a page instead of writing it all in a blog entry

Don’t Make Me Come Up There – Kristen Welch 5*

This is basically a mum’s account of the day-to-day struggles that every parent faces.

The refreshing difference with this book is that Kristen admits to the failings within their family and doesn’t try to brush everything under the carpet.

Although each chapter is short, it is direct and to the point.  I laughed and cried whilst reading this, feeling and knowing all the emotions spoken about.

My favourite part though would have to be how Kristen has complimented each chapter with a scripture passage and prayer – passages that give reassurance, and prayers that everyone can relate to.

Assisted suicide

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16410118

Well it’s something I think everyone knew would come about at some point.  There have been many people who have sought clarification of the current laws regarding assisted suicide and the possibility for criminal prosecution for those who have aided loved ones, either by supporting them at home or by helping them to travel to the countries where it is legal.

Fundamentally I disagree with a form of killing, including abortion and euthanasia, however, I am moved by the stories of people who wish to end their life with dignity and to lessen the suffering that their illnesses/ conditions will inevitably bring as they progress.  I belive that people should be given the choice, but that it should be an informed, rational and reasonable given their prognosis.

There is a very strong argument that we show more compassion for animals and that when they are suffering we humanely put them to sleep for them to suffer no more.  I am not in any way trying to equate human life with animals.  However, we do get attached to our pets and class them as part of our families, we mourn them in just the same way that we would mourn the passing of a parent, spouse, sibling, child or friend.

My biggest worry about assisted suicide is the rules and regulations that will be made to govern the whole issue.  I think we are heading on the right track to limit it to people with only 1 year left to live and I also think that it’s great that there is the proposal that 2 doctors would have to be convinced of the state of mind of the person requesting assisted suicide.

Another worry is regarding who decides there is only 1 year left to live?  Sometimes the medical profession simply gets things wrong.  Take the example of the Lockerbie bomber for instance; released on compassionate grounds due to having incurable cancer that would take his life within 1 year, some 2+ years later (although still very ill) he is very much alive.  And what about medical/ scientific advances? What if a cure was found that would reverse the illness or have given the person suffering a new lease of life?

Whatever your view on assisted suicide, it looks like we are a step closer to it happening.  All we can do is pray for those people who will be affected by this, pray that no person feels compelled to it out of a feeling of ‘duty’ and fear of being a burden.  But most of all pray for the people who are going to be debating and writing these laws and for the minds of the medical professionals who will ultimately be responsible for ending the life of another person.

Arousing Love – M.H. Strom 4*

This was a refreshing look at the relationship between 2 young people.  It showed the struggles of Christian youth to honour their faith at the same time as starting to explore the feelings that come with being in a relationship.

Parts of it were almost like an attack on the church as we know it, not an unwarranted attack though, one comment that really stands out to me was “Jesus wouldn’t be welcome in most churches as he would be too radical”.  It’s a sad time that the doctrines of the church have, in a lot of cases, moved so far from the messages of love and tolerance that Jesus taught.

Both young people involved in this story tested God’s will for their lives and whether they were meant to be together, asking for signs to confirm God’s plans.  When these signs were given to them, in ways that they did not expect, they became betrothed to each other.  It was an interesting insight in how marriage was historically looked at (the joining of 2 people) instead of the ceremonies that have grown up around the idea of marriage.