Reasons to be cheerful: 1, 2, 3...

I know I moan alot about stuff here, but there are times when I am reminded how very lucky I am to live in an advanced country in the 21st century.

Today was one of those moments, as I sit here shivering in front of the coal fire that is our only source of heat, knowing that I can pile on as much coal & wood as necessary because it's only go to last another 24 hours - not another couple of months! Our house was built nearly 150 years ago - long before central heating was even thought about (yes, i know Brits had central heating during Roman times, but no-one had it for many centuries in between!), yet it is eminently unsuitable for keeping warm by coal fire - high ceilings, thick stone walls & many, many draughts - even with double glazing (mostly) and heavy curtains. The fire barely heats the whole of one room, let alone anywhere else in the house. Of course, the addition of electric lights, TV & internet helps pass the time in that single room:-) The kids have electric radiators in their bedrooms too, which at least take the chill of the air as the snow drifts down outside.

So reason 1 = central heating, utilities direct to every house & the knowledge that my children will still be able to sleep soundly and safely whatever the weather.

Of course, I don't like that Aggie is in hospital again for a few weeks, but I am eternally grateful that medical science has solved so many of the major health issues that plagued humanity for most of it's existance, making it a fair bet that we will all survive childhood, minor illnesses and infections, and accidental injuries. Naturally the role of the NHS in saving Aggies life on a daily basis is fairly important to me, as is the fact that if I'd been born 100 years earlier I'd be dead at least twice by now, as would 3/4 of all the people I know (try this poll out on your friends and family, it's amazing how many people hve had blood transfusions/surgery/high fevers etc). I am also delighted that the cost of the many medications Aggie has tried have not been dumped on to us - either directly or by higher insurance premiums, and that when i decided to leave work, I did not have to worry about how that would affect any healthcare issues I may have in the future.

So reason no 2 = Medical science & the NHS

Finally, although I think that we have lost a great deal of our community in our current society, and that in the centuries to come, historians will look back on this time as a period of enormous social upheaval, I am not stuck in the house completely alone once the kids are asleep - i can turn on the computer & find support for whatever i am feeling at any time. I know it's not the same as real people, but it's certainly better than silence! And as my offer of a babysitting circle (made to all 30 parents in Mstr A's class) seems to have been completely ignored, I am grateful for the company I find on the net.

So reason no. 3 = The internet & wireless technology allowing me to use it in the warm room.