Just another day

Little Fish and I went shopping today. Mog's outgrown all her winter trousers and most of her skirts and dresses. And Little Fish is bursting out of anything not made from stretch jersey. There's a limit to how many times I want to see either of them in leggings - it gets tedious.

Not, thankfully, a major issue for Mog as she does have her smart new school uniform and can make do for the weekends (although she won't be happy about that). More of an issue for Little Fish; she can't wear any of her trousers over her plaster wellies, and short but sweet denim pinafores tend to look a little indiscreet when you're sitting slumped in a wheelchair with your feet propped up.

So, we went shopping. Jeans are no good - Mog used to wear them but the last time she wore them they rubbed badly against her new iron hips leaving massive great marks. So that's out. Mog's a fairly tall and slim little person, but having pins and plates everywhere means that skinny trousers aren't comfortable. Stretchy is good, but apparently that was so last season, man. Certainly nothing on offer in Oxford today - or not if I didn't fancy silver studded hipsters. Strangely, I didn't. Skirts were all of the mini variety, also not much use if you sit in a wheelchair all day. And not much use in winter even if you don't. Although I suppose that if this rain keeps up, bare legs will dry off more easily than trousered ones. But, nothing for Mog today. Just as well she wasn't with us really - she would not have been impressed.

Little Fish was a little more fortunate - we did find her a nice raincoat with cuddly lining. It's great. I want it. She won't let me have it. The cashier also wanted it. And she wasn't allowed it either. It wasn't until I got it home that I realised it has no hood - what I thought was a hood was in fact a rainhat. Which Little Fish won't wear. Oh well. I suppose rain hat and nice cuddly lined raincoat go well with the temporary welly boots, even if she won't wear the hat. Perhaps we could use it to keep the boots dry?

It's even harder to find trousers or skirts for Little Fish. She's wide. And short. And her legs are even shorter than the rest of her. Her little feet fit baby shoes still, but her waist measurements are wider than Mog's. This is not helped by the super absorbent super lined super chunky nappies. We've managed over the summer; shorts have worked very well as trousers. Strangely, no one seems to make winter shorts.

I foresee some time being spent at the sewing machines. Such a hardship.

Meanwhile, some questions for you.

I have now been shouted at by bus drivers for requesting the ramp "I was just about to do that!" and for not requesting the ramp "How do I know you need it if you don't ask?", and for needing the ramp in the first place "I'll have to repark the bus, can't you lift her?". So what is the correct ettiquette when requiring the ramp? Does one wait until everyone else is loaded, only to be told that the bus is now full? Does one push forwards? Take one's place in the queue only to have a mother with a buggy nip in first and take the spot? And exactly how much pain is it correct to administer when running over the feet of those who will not move out of the wheelchair spot in order for you to park safely? In the interests of fairness, I should mention that we've also had wonderful drivers who have been delighted to help us, however so far I'd say it's 50:50.

Where should I be looking for nice soft clothing designed for children not mini adults, and with options in extra wide? Anyone got any favourite patterns?

And a very important question from Little Fish - what sticks to fibreglass? She is stuck with two very boring offwhite casts for the next month. Felt tip pen doesn't dry but just rubs off. Stickers peel off. Pencil goes bumpetty. Watercolour rolls off. I suspect superglue might work, but what to do to keep her hands off it until it sets? Then again, hands stuck to feet for a month, there could be advantages to that...

Tia