Hi all, well Rachel's been here since Sunday. As I said before, we're both on a fat-free diet as she needs to lose weight because of the strain on her heart. I just need to lose weight.

She's been great. Yesterday, she donned the fun wig I bought her in the market - all gold and curly. Older and yonger son and hubby were sitting on the deck. She flies past me in the kitchen with her wee radio in hand. Next thing I look she's standing in the middle of the deck, hips shaking from side to side and singing to the music, "Sex bomb, Sex bomb, I'm a sex bomb". She has no inhibitions at all. Hubby made the mistake of asking her was the singer Tom Jones. He was looked at in amazement and told "Certainly not". I don't know who the singer was either. Must ask her, at the risk of another performance.

I'm running out of TV magazines for her to read.

Ann, Rachel sounds like a joy to have around.

Yes, Maggi, she is. Always in good form, laughs at the least thing. We're enjoying her and she's enjoying being here. She goes out for lunch and dinner tomorrow with her hairdressers. They're very good to her and take her out now and again.

The last time they had Rachel out they decided to take her to a Nite Club. When the doorman saw Rachel he said that admission was for over 18s only. They had great satisfaction telling him that Rachel was 21.

AND she enjoyed the nite club. Our Rachel has a great time.

Afternoon all,
Catching up on the latest before going out to Limerick with friend.
Wee Rachael could learn us all a lesson, glad to be alive, happy all day, loves (nearly) everyone. Singing happy songs, dancing & making us all feel good. Hello Love..Your best friend Pat.

Pat, you're right about Rachel. Also correct about her knowing a person who is not good.

She has had, as you know, experience of this, believe it or not, from a "professional" female carer in her day to day activities. Was able to tell us things that she couldn't possibly have made up, as she wouldn't have the sense to come out with the things that were said to her, really insulting things.

However, nothing could be proven and the "carer" is still employed. Rachel has not gone back to this place.

A couple of other Down's children showed reluctance to go in the mornings and they, too, have left.

Rachel's fine while she's protected but very vulnerable otherwise. However, she's in a loving family circle and is really innocent. We're here for her at all times.

She and I are just going down to Tesco's (again) for a few bits and pieces. Hope there'll be some new TV magazines!!

Ann,
Only on the com now, up to my eyes, I'll will say no more.
I know you get great joy and laughter from Rachel, what a shock to learn the way a carer treated her, how vulnerable Rachel and other children are, but nothing surprises me now.

I am sure she had you all in fits of laughter, with the blond curly wig, and singing Sex Pot, had hubby and your sons no imagination, thinking Tom Jones, not a bit of wonder she said "certainly not" (thats men for u).
I would have thought Madonna,or Kylie Minogue, or even one of the Spice Girls/Girls Aloud, anyway I know her parents, you,hubby and family will care for her and keep her safe.

Now going to make your soup.

Tell Rachel says Hi, and to keep singing and dancing.

Katie

Hi Dabbler,

Hubby was talking to a young brother of yours yesterday, may have been the youngest.


Katie

Ann,

Quick reply, can Shirley Temple videos/c'ds still be got, thougth Rachel would love them, or Curly Sue a great film for children.

"I'm in the mood for dancing"

Katie

Katie, re Shirley Temple, I know you mean well, but you must be joking.

I have Rachel standing beside me here and she says to tell you she loves "Meet the Faulkers" (you can guess how she pronounces this) "Meet the Parents". Also, "Titanic" and one I never heard of, although Rachel says it's very sad, "The Stepmother", also "Dum and Dummer", "Harry Potter - all of them".

Groups Rachel likes are Abba, Spice Girls, Leona, The Nolans, Westlife, Maria McKee (never heard of her or Leona) and she says she thinks that's it.

SO, Katy, Rachel is really up to date.

John Daly knows Rachel very well from different Down's Association functions she attended.

Rachel says to tell you she is being happy and she is enjoying her life here.

On another note, you can't fail to go wrong with the soup really. Forgot to say add black pepper, but not a big problem. Season to your own taste.

To Rachel I have a girl called Sharon who is 16, and she just loves Westlife, Spice girls and all the other names you mentioned. Hope you have a nice weekend. xxx

Maggi, I showed Rachel your message, which she read. She said to tell you thank you and you are a good, best pal.

Katie, I'm all ears. You/he have my email.

I knew I was poor, and I’ll tell you no lies,
My oul Da got drunk every week
But when wee Teeny Stewart smiled into my eyes
It brought a few tears to my cheek
I felt that wee Teeny was worse off than me
But my Ma said she’d soon be above
For Teeny was lent to her parents, you see
To teach them to smile and to love

That is beautiful Dabbler, I have vague memories of Teenie.

Liz

Hi Dabbler,

Lovely wee poem about Teeny Stewart.

Would u believe, we had friends here last night and we
were talking about people from years ago, and Teeny Stewart was one of them.

Teeny Stewart, was a gentle, innocent girl who loved people to talk to her, she was a member of the Salvation Army, a good girl, always laughing, I think she may have come from the County Down end of the town, maybe someone from that end of the town will inform us.

Katie

Ann, check your emails

Katie, Teeny Stewart was from the Plantation and she loved to be given handbags. Margaret

Dabbler, thank you so much for going to the trouble of writing such a lovely poem.

Hi all, I think I'll close the subject of Rachel now as I'm sure you've all had enough.

But to finish, I got her all ready this morning for her lunch out, hair washed, showered, best casuals on, jewellery, perfume, the works.

At just after 11 am the hairdresser came, with her husband, mother-in-law and father-in-law, over from Cyprus. Apparently they had met Rachel before and wanted to see her before they go off home tomorrow.

The mother-in-law was very glamorous, lovely thick dark curly hair and very good looking, great gold jewellery on, etc. Her husband was put in the shade by her.

They went to a wee seafood restaurant in Dundrum, forget the name but wouldn't be hard to find out. They go there every time they're over. Then they took Rachel to the amusements in Newcastle and brought her back about 5 because there was an oul football match on that the hairdresser's husband wanted to see. Rachel's just after Weightwatcher's Spaghetti Bolognese and salad. END OF STORY FOR NOW.

Katie, Teeny Stewart lived in Gregg st. accross from McKeweon's bakery,Ken.

Ann, writing about wee Teeny is no trouble to me whatsoever. I wrote about her years ago on this forum. Making verse, especially when driven by emotion, is as easy to me as doing simple crosswords, and gives me greater pleasure.

Katie
Thanks for the email, to which I've replied. Hope you get it this time.

Dabbler,

Received over and out and I replied.
Thank you

Katie

Hi Dabbler,

Thank you for remembering "Teenie" like that. She lived in Mercer St. until her Dad died, then she was taken into care. She called in our house nearly every day to get a safety pin to hold up her stockings. When my mother would go to help her, she would say "Billy not look at me" till it's fixed. My mother had to interpret for me as I couldn't make her out. But you are right about "Teenie" she had a smile that would melt an Iceberg.