A bed of roses

The last couple have been a bit scrappy, I know.

So, we got the husband's PIP in-person assessment appointment - 13 April, in Birkenhead. Now, it's not the end of the universe but it is a train ride and husband won't do public transport with the wheelchair. So, I rang to reschedule.

Personal Independence Payments are for people with long-term conditions and/or disabilities (physical and/or mental) to help them pay for stuff they need. For us, it will help with things like taxi fairs. Obviously, people applying for this money may well have multiple, complex needs. Sending us to Birkenhead when we live in Liverpool and there's a fucking assessment office in the building where I work is at best plain stupid and at worst cruel. Because, you see, you can only change your appointment once.

Let that sink in.

You get an appointment in a location you'll struggle to reach (apparently they can be anywhere within a SIXTY MILE radius!!!) so you get it moved to somewhere easier to reach. Now, imagine you have agoraphobia. Or chronic fatigue. Or you're just plain SICK on the day of your new appointment. You are now completely fucked. Either you struggle through whatever it is and get to the appointment - or you go right back to the start of the process.

The whole process is designed to put you off. Then a large proportion of claims are not approved. You can appeal (and 70%+ are upheld!!!) but, of course, you have to be in a fit mental and physical state to do that.

You just know this is a system designed by Tories.

Anyway, we got to the appointment, went through the same questions that we'd put on the paper form 8 weeks ago (some things have changed, like husband's medication list, his memory is improving, and he's been in hospital again, but not much). Now we have another wait of up to 8 weeks to hear back.

And while I'm ranting, the Grand National is being held on 15 April. I don't have words...

In much happier news, we got an afternoon with grandson #2 today. He really is the cutest baby. I know we're biased but our kids and grandson #1 were all beautiful babies - and he somehow outdoes them all <3

Daughter and fiance took husband and me to Moose Coffee on Hope Street for all day breakfast. I forgot my glasses (I have three pairs in the house and one in the office but none in the bag I take out with me - doh!) and didn't check the menu online before we went so I was squinting at the menu. Anyway, I managed to make out 'Brioche Grande' (French toast with bacon and maple syrup), so went with that. It was delicious. And the others all enjoyed their food, too. The portions were very generous, too. The bill was very reasonable for the four of us.

Then they went to get some professional photos done - grandson #1 was working (£10.60 an hour cleaning tables in MacDonald's at 16!!! I'm in the wrong job...), so it was just them and the baby, and we went for a walk in the sunshine. The sun was burning my back but there was a very fresh breeze in my face, so I wasn't sure if I was too hot or too cold :D

We popped in to Coop on the way back and son was just leaving, so we walked home together. Then daughter & co rejoined us and we got more cuddles.

Husband and I have been watching some old films that we both enjoy but haven't seen in a long time. There was Ghost last week and Stand By Me last night. It's nice just sitting together and enjoying a good film.

Work has been good, too. Four-day week this week and next due to the Bank Holidays. But nothing momentous :D

And that's all for now. Toodles, DW!