A Christmas post, by TBSITW

Many thanks to those who have been in contact and who are remembering Elaine at this time of year.

Your comments to the last posting, as well as some emails have been very much appreciated by me and the rest of the family.

As requested...

Elaine's funeral is on Wednesday 20th May at 1.15pm (British time).

A final message from TBSITW

Elaine won many battles in her fight against failing health, but I am very sorry to have to tell you that she has finally lost the war.

You have no idea how much the contact with all of you, through your blogs, meant to her. She often spoke of the things you wrote or the photos you posted, and she enjoyed sharing a bit of her own life with you. Particularly as she became less active, this electronic circle of friends was a very important part of her life. Thank you all for keeping in contact with her - rest assured, I always passed on your good wishes.

Elaine passed away peacefully in hospital yesterday, 13th May 2009, aged only 67.

By the way, my name is Enid, and to me SHE was "The Best Sister In The World".

Update

Things haven't gone as well as it appeared last weekend. Elaine is very poorly indeed and is in Intensive Care. More when I can. TBSITW

Oh no, not again..by TBSITW

Yes it's me again, the other Ugly Sister.

Elaine was home only for a day or two before having to go back into hospital. You will have read on her own posting that she was tiring easily, so it would seem she got home just a bit too soon.

Yesterday she was sitting beside her bed in MHDU with her feet up, still hooked up to monitors etc, but able to read a book brought by Best Brother, and keeping a brave face on. She's now been moved to a medical ward and a physiotherapist will be keeping a good eye on her progress there.

Her first words to my visit were, "The lengths I'll go to to get you to come and see me!". So you see, she still has her sense of humour.

She's home......

This is TBSITW.....again.......

Elaine got home from hospital today.

She is having an internet connection problem, but things should be back to normal soon. (That'll teach her to change her ISP.....I wouldn't dare!).

The Bitch is Back

Oh yes, large as life and twice as ugly. First of all so many thanks for all the best wishes.



Then a particular mention for a. Yes, please, I would love to borrow the book .



Home is an interesting adventure. 4 people are coming in and moving furniture and so on.



The idea is to mobilise me and leave me independent.

I am somewhat tired.


So is the wireless modem, so this is stone age stuff.

Best wishes to all my friends out there.

Not much blogging for a bit as I tire easily.

Another short update

I'm glad to tell you that Elaine is doing very well. She is now up and dressed each day, and is scheduled to go home from hospital on Tuesday (5th May).
I'm sure she'll be onto her blog and telling you all about her experiences almost as soon as she is back! Your many comments are still being passed on to her. Thanks to all of you,
TBSITW.

Still improving....

I saw Elaine in hospital today. She is much improved and very cheerful. She polished off a portion of a home-made dessert that I thought she would enjoy (she did!). She thanks you for all your kind thoughts.

Your comments are being passed on

This is still Elaine's sister.

Thank you for all the kind comments, which I have not published but instead have printed off to take to Elaine. She was sound asleep when I visited her yesterday. Reports are that she is improving but will be in for a few days yet.

Silence for a few days

Hello to Elaine's blog readers. This is TBSITW giving you a short update.

After a good day on Wednesday, when we went to the hairdresser and shops together, I am sorry to report that she had to go back into hospital yesterday evening with a bad chest infection. She's a fair bit better this morning but will be kept in for a few days.

So...no more blogs till she's back.

Visits

Elder son visited yesterday, which was great. He brought a smashing lunch and set up the printer so far for me leaving the rest for me to do when the new desk arrived and I could do so. Sadly, not working, so will have to come again!!!!!!!!

After he left (having hoped to have helped me), the desk men arrived and had the wrong one removed and the new one put quick as you like.

On Friday, between the first fall and going into hospital, daughter, partner (with a significant birthday) and younger grandson visited. It was so good to see them.

On the Saturday, they returned and went to my house. They picked up my "hospital bag" which is a gym bag filled with all the necessities for a hospital stay and also brought grapes. Grandson really enjoyed them!

It was quite funny that the bag was packed a few years ago and so everything smelled a bit fusty.

Poor souls, the journey 2 days running - and they don't live so very close to me.

The Bitch is Back

Following on from the events of the last post, I had another fall on Friday evening, against the shower door. This time, the call to the careline service resulted in an ambulance service being called. (2 ambulances and at least one paramedic led to the decision to take me to the local district general hospital where I had 4 or 5 x-rays of my left shoulder which was well swollen and bruised.

No bony injury (tough old bird), so off to the ward where an army of doctors attempted to draw blood, with eventual success, apart from the fact that another consultant would want a different test, so more stabs. Nice staff.

My only complaint is that it was a medical admission unit, and so patients are expected to be there for no more than 24 hours. For this reason, staff are (quite rightly) reluctant to hand out extra linen unnecessarily - especially after the patient has "wasted" a blanket by spilling rather a large quantity of blood on one. On the second night (yes, second night) a wonderful staff nurse wrapped me up in a cocoon of a second blanket and, at last, I got warm.

Home Sunday afternoon, but discovered, to my horror, dear readers that I could not get on line.

Eventually realised that Tesco had cut me off because I am migrating to BT Internet.

In fact I am now set up.

Last day at Day Hospital.

Home, and all is well.

Falls

I fell during the night last night and had to get the falls response team out to get me up with their machine. I had had my bed on overnight heat so the duvet was lovely and cosy as I lay beneath it while waiting for the team. Wonderful people as usual. Back to sleep till morning.

Then up and about and into the shower.

You guessed it. Another fall.

This time I could not turn the water off.

Eventually got the shower door open and fell out and reached the alarm bell.

All this time the water was pouring down.

Help arrived and a mop with towels as used to start drying the carpet.

Our House Manager got help from a social worker who was on site and between them they got me up.

I am somewhat tired, so more later.

This morning I fell.

Both my legs and arms were spasming. I managed to hold on to the support rail in the showers, but after l came out,I fell and that was it.

Our wonderful House Manager came to see if she could help, but no. So we called for the falls Response Service and they got me up with this wonderful machine.

Later I decided to do my washing and went down to the Laundry Room. Once my first wash was on its last spin, I felt somewhat tired and was delighted to accept the offer of one of the residents to take me up to bed and do my washings for me.

She has put the sweater in the tumble dryer, so the result will be interesting...
It looks as though, with a bit of luck, my new desk arrives on Monday, with the old one being removed on the same day. Hold your breath

Easter Sunday

Well, at last! Today I managed to get to Church on Scoot for the first time. Still finding the road crossings difficult, particularly as the traffic is so heavy. Nonetheless, several drivers waved me across.

An excellent service as usual, with the choir and the minister in fine form. Easter means so much to the Christian church as it celebrates the birth of Christ.

Many others celebrate at this time of the year as it is the beginning of new life, the grass starting to green, the flowers starting to bloom, the leaves on the trees starting to show buds.

Although there was a bit of a nip in the air, the sun is shining and it really feels like Easter.

This afternoon I am making cock a leekie soup. I am making it with a fowl that requires 4 hours boiling. For the soup, basically you make a stock (usually veal from roasted bones : games of soldiers here) then use the stock to make the soup, so I have decided to make my own version which involves effectively pot roasting the bird and never mind making a separate stock.

I may change my mind later in the day.....

Farmers Market

This morning , TBSITW came over. She was quite early for the farmers market, so we were in time to get chicken livers from a really good free range chicken farm. Having bought that, I bought more leeks to add to the Cock - a - Leekie Soup I am making tomorrow, also sausages and streaky bacon from a wonderful piggery place, just down the road. Then it was on to the stall where I could get lamb chops followed by the fish stall for a salmon steak. To cap it all, we sat down in the local park and had an ice cream cone.

I think it is easier to go behind anyone rather than ahead, when we can't go side by side (when I am on my scooter) as it is very easy for me to match speeds that way.

I have now made chicken liver pate, put it into three dishes and frozen two, putting the other in the fridge. I have also frozen the sausages, divided into portions of three and two double loin chops.

It was really good to have TBSITW there to show me a better route and to show me that I am able to go to the farmers market on my scooter on my own (though it will be better when I get the saddle bag for the back (not to mention the stick holder!!!)

I am going to go to the Church tomorrow and look for help to get into the body of the Church.

If you don't try, you don't get...

An Excellent Day

Today dearest daughter came over and walked me to the dental hygienist, and walked me home afterwards. This was a big achievement as I had never walked that far up the hill before. She pointed out two other dropped edges giving a way to avoid that rather nasty crossing.

We then went out for a walk together, me in Scoot, she on foot. It is really quite easy to match her walking pace. Because she can walk beside me, we can have a grand blether.

She was looking for new jeans, so we went to Marks and Spencer, of course I had a look too and wondered if I would fit into a size 18 now that I have lost some weight, so I took a pair of size 18 (turn away, all you skinny folk) and tried them on. Lo and behold, they fastened. DD came and looked and we both agreed it would be worthwhile trying a size 16 . I tried a 16 long and they fitted - A MARVEL!, but sadly they had no 16 short, but I was able to order them - in Tuesday. You will appreciate what a miracle this is as I have been wearing elastic waisted pull-ons for quite some time now.

Younger son has been unwell again. It is always a worry as he is living with only 1 donated kidney. After a week of feeling most unwell, he is now on the mend.

Taking it Easy

It has been a very lazy day today - I even peeled the potatoes yesterday and left them under water in the fridge for tonight. With them I shall have Ox tongue from the good butcher between TBSITW and me me which she brought round yesterday. I also have some lovely fresh, organic purple sprouting broccoli.

My new USB cable for the printer came today. It is black, so all the office is black (apart from the connection to the 4-way USB hub.

So the study half of my bedroom is all smart black!

I was struggling to reach the curtains over the desk as it is set so far away from the window because it is too wide. I have decided just to leave them closed until I get my new desk.

I miss being able to keep an eye on all that is going on.

See men who think that women are always wrong!!!!!!!!

I am still wobbly on my legs and use my stick all the time. I also use the trolley to carry my food or liquids.

On The Mend

Today I did two loads of washing - just nipped in in time to get the best machine - much to the disgust of one of the carers. I made this achievement by dint of pulling on my clothes and going down unwashed (oh the sin of it!)

Of course I quickly had my shower and got dressed properly.

After that TBSITW called round. She brought me some delicious smoked trout pate (which I ate on oatcakes with a glass of sherry. Bliss. In addition, she brought two pots of white daisies. They are so cheerful and last right through the the summer. Bless her.

She also brought me some round steak mince from an excellent butcher. She knew how much I missed having mince as I have not had any for ages.

This afternooon I gave in to a telephone cold caller. I am changing Internet Service Provider from Tesco to BT, where I get a wi-fi modem and free evening and weekend telephone calls. There are also cheap international calls but this was of really no interest to me.
I am also saving £5 a month in rental. Probably a sucker. Tesco were very polite about it: I have been with them a long time so am breaking no contracts. They are sending the MAC code by email.

Not a bad day all in all, though still rather unsteady on my feet. Got to get fit for the farmers market on Saturday.

It is beautiful and sunny looking out, but the wind is cold.

The Day Hospital

I felt a bit "shoogly" this morning, but made it to the Day Hospital. As soon as I had sat down, one of the Staff nurses came over and asked me how I was. So, I told her.

She referred me to the physio in the first instance . This was a very productive session. She told me that if anything like that happened again that Imust call for a doctor as I ought to be seen in hospital.

After that, she said we would "take it easy" this session. After the first exercise, I said that her idea of "take it easy" was rather different from mine. After about 1/2 way through she must have seen how tired I was, so she walked me back to the ward. The physio wanted to see my bruising, which somewhat shocked her

Next was round to the doctor who stripped my top half and checked over all my bruises. She felt that the ones one my left arm looked more like impact injuries than carpet burns. I reckoned that must have been from when I fell into the shower. She referred me for a chest x-ray and for an ECG as well as having my temp, pulse, blood pressure and oxygen sats , All were carried out apart from the x-ray. Well done all. Brilliant organisation.

The sad part of the day was that A.was not there.

Cut short before it began.

At my age, it is difficult to find a man who is likable, not married and reasonably mobile.

Home to find my telephone sending out an incredibly loud alarm. Eventually I traced this to the new phone. No idea what cause, but unplugged it from the mains - instant silence. Shortly after, I replaced the phone on the cradle.

Tea tonight:

Homemade cream of mushroom soup, French toast. rhubarb and ice cream.

I think that is enough to satisfy the nutritionists......

Yesterday....,

....all my troubles seemed so far away....

Sunday was a good day.

Until after I had gone to bed when I was awakened with chest pain. I was sure it was not heart, and was probably indigestion, but it hurt every time I breathed in.

I called Careline and a doctor came out. She said I had a chest infection and left 3 amoxicillin.

After she left, I went back to bed and at some point, probably on getting out of bed, I ended up on the floor. In my attempts to get to my feet again, I had to use mainly my shoulders and my forearms to reach a point where I could get up. No success, so try again..

and again.

Eventually I made it and immediately went back to bed.

This morning - and continuing I am very sore.


TBSITW came over in very short order to see how I was. She did so much, tidying, ordering my prescription and so on and making my bed.

And then my new printer,scanner/photocopier/singer and dancer arrived.

So she set that up for me before leaving with strict instructions to look after myself.

mushroom soup, Printer Exchange.

A quiet day today.

This morning I made cream of mushroom soup.

After all the washing up, I made a pot of leaf tea (a mixture of Earl Grey and Darjeeling) using my new elephant tea cosy to keep the pot warm. It worked, and I actually had two cups of tea.

I known this is a bit boring, but I am learning to increase my fluid consumption.

I am getting a new printer/scanner/photocopier tomorrow from Comet. I do hope it arrives in time for me to go to the bridge club, so I took apart the old one which is going to dearest daugter.

Lowered Pavement Edges

Friday, 3 April 2009

Lowered Pavement Edges

Today, once again, the sun has been shining. I had to wait in for a Tesco delivery, but as soon as the man had left and I had unpacked and put away everything, off I went on a big adventure.

I had to go to the bank to deposit the cheque from staples (for the rejected desk) and wanted to go on to the doctor's surgery to time how long it would take to make an appointment.

Well! It was a bit of an eye opener.

Getting down the hill to the traffic lights I had difficulty with no properly lowered pavement at the first junction and no lowered pavement at the second junction which was across a busy road.

So, I carried on on the pavement to the next turning on the right and managed there. This new road also took me to the traffic lights at the roundabout. Here crossing was very easy and getting to the bank was perfectly straightforward.

To get to the surgery I used the traffic lights just up the road from the bank and from then on it all looked promising.

Then another crossing: I bumped down off the pavement and managed up onto the pavement opposite, then on and round the corner where I had to cross the road again. Not too bad, but what did I then find.

Some idiot car parked right on the pavement.

The only way past was to diverge onto the grass. Never been on grass before but it was ok.

Then on to the surgery where I parked Scoot in a disabled bay.

Well, why not? I do have a blue badge. Must remember to carry it with me....

Actually I did not go into the surgery, but into the attached pharmacy with a bag of medicines for disposal.

Then the reverse journey home. One of the junctions where I had bumped down off the pavement had a kerb that was too high to climb, so I had to resort to switching Scoot off and manhandling the poor dear up onto the pavement. Someone gave me a very welcome hand, which made a big difference.

I found a place to cross the busy road, but the next two were tricky.

When I was back in the car park, I decided that, since I was out anyway I would go back to the High Street and popped in to Marks for a couple of things and into Optical Express to collect my new reading glasses.

They are a great improvement even though they are plastic frames (which the sales person seemed to think inferior!)

Then back home.

I am very tired, but it is not that often we get such weather at this time of year, so felt I should make the most of it.

Casino Royale and TBSITW

Well, this has been a really good day. After lunch, I decided to be big and brave and watch a DVD: Quite a long time ago I set my TV to power on to DVD rather than TV, but some time ago I switched it off rather than leaving it on stand-by, and it remained switched off for about a year, so I was rather afraid that all the settings would be lost and I would have to re-programme the TV from scratch. However there it was, the DVD screen saying No Disc.

So, I settled down to watch Casino Royale, having lunch of chicken soup from the freezer.

I paused the film and went to the kitchen to wash up and noticed someone bent over in my "garden". It was the wonderful TBSITW.

I quickly went to the French windows and opened them. She asked for a bag to dispose of some of the small rubbish and for a pair of secateurs.

She had previously removed two pots and now returned them re potted - AND REPLANTED !.

What a difference her work has made to my view.

She has also taken away 2 more pots......

We then went off to Homebase for a new door bell. I have missed a number of callers, incluing delivery men, because of not hearing my useless bell. This one is good and loud. At the same time I bought light bulbs.

Then it was off to Tesco. I hired their electric chair and demonstrated to TBSITW that I really can control one! I also got some shopping, while TBSITW did a major shop.

Back home and a cup of tea, then TBSITW got back to work. She worked out how to get the bell set up, and I even chose the ring tone from a choice of eight. Having done all that, she hung the bell so that it is all up and running (or should that be "up and ringing"?

After she left, to the sound of heartfelt thanks, I finished watching the film.

After Dr No, I think that Casino Royale is the best Bond film and that Daniel Craig is an excellent 007.

Today has been a lovely sunny day, so why haven't I been out there soaking up the (rare) sunshine?

I don't know really.

First of all the nice lady from Occupational Therapy came and adjusted the height of the trolley.. I did tell her of my nefarious uses, but this evening I was more than grateful for the trolley to hold all the accessories for my curry.

I even made raita for the first time (I know, I know, why did I not learn to make this years ago? I haven't a clue.

It was, of course, TBSITW who gave me the recipe.

Today, I finally caught up with the rest of the world and have installed Firefox.

Day Hospital - and more

Yesterday Day Hospital day came round again. The gaps between visits seem long now that I go only once a week.

Off we went in quite a rush. Sat down, jacket taken away to be hung up and tea and biscuit arrived. As I was at the beginning of the row I got a choice of Rich Tea, digestive of Chocolate Chip biscuits.

Of course I chose the chocolate chip one.

It is the small pleasures of life that can mean so much.......

Immediately I had finished the physiotherapist arrived and took me through to the gym. I walked without my stick and she walked behind me and watched. When we got to the gym she said that we would have to do some work on my walking as my gait is poor. The best way to describe it is to say that it is rather like skaters who move the right leg ahead and to the right then the left leg ahead and to the left. Not a pretty sight when you walk.

Then it was off to the exercises doing ever more each week and always introducing something new. The session yesterday was 2 hours long - a lot of hard work.

Then back to have lunch; green pea soup then chocolate pudding and vanilla sauce. Now I had tried the pudding on its own before and found it rather dry so I ordered the vanilla sauce with some dubiety and my fears were correct. The vanilla sauce was just custard (from custard powder) with some vanilla flavouring added. Revolting.

Immediately after lunch I was grabbed by the occupational therapist to join a group. We started playing a memory game where cards with pictures on them are laid face down on the table and you pick up 2 cards, turn them over and see if they are a "pair", if not you turn them back face down and return them to their original position.

This proceeds with everyone taking two cards in turn.

It is very difficult to find a pair at the beginning as you keep turning up a new picture, but as the game proceeds it becomes easier.

In the end I won with 6 pairs and the next lady came second with 5 pairs so it was a close run thing.

We had our tea and cake (baked by the men this week) and a crumpet with butter, then I mentioned that the game had reminded me of Pelmanism, where you put a number of different items on a tray, give everyone a certain time to look at them then cover them with a cloth and the players all have to write down as many items as they can remember. This game can be made as hard or as easy as you like depending on the number of items and the time allowed to see them.

Then finally we played a card game called Sevens just to fill in time till the afternoon was finished.

Back to my seat. You may remember that last week I said I thought I had made a bit of a hit with one of the gentlemen.

Well, this week I was very disappointed not to see him; I looked among the men in the morning, at lunch time and in the afternoon, but he was not there.

Perhaps he had finished coming on a Tuesday?

Just at that point who should come over but my new friend to say he had been looking for me too but had been whisked away to different departments all day. This is starting to look promising. It may surprise you, but in such matters I am usually very shy but here I am determined not to be. He seems like a nice man and I would like the opportunity to get to know him a bit better. No, don't be silly folks, I am not thinking wedding bells and white dresses(don't be seriously silly!), but it would be really good to have a friend to accompany me to go places - even just for lunch at Dobbies or, better still, dinner somewhere...............

Anyway, this time for the first time in my life really, I am going to do the gentle pursuing.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Not sure that the Day Hospital was supposed to be a dating agency.

New Desk

What new desk?

I don't do waiting well, so first, after I found I could read only about 5 pages, I moved laptop and all the accessories on top of the OT trolley (if only OT knew all the uses to which I put their trolley!).

I was then able to work on a new jigsaw. This concentrates the mind. I finished all the outside of it and started to sort the remaining pieces.

Then I read for a little before resuming pacing the floor.

At last the phone rang. The guy was right outside......

So he brought everything in and started to fit it all together. It became rapidly obvious that it wouldn't fit. The man said that I had not taken account of the width of the skirting boards....

It then turned out that it was a 1600mm wide desk.

But I ordered a 1400mm desk, I protested loudly.

Went to the filing cabinet and removed the order form - it said 1600mm!!!!!!

I distinctly remember ordering 1400mm and the salesman said 1600mm. He then went and measured the desk in the showroom and it was, indeed, 1400mm.

Thus he was allegedly ordering a 1400mm desk.

Stupidly I didn't read the order form too closely as it does indeed say 1600.

The desk top has to be returned anyway as it is quite badly flawed and apparently all the rest - drawers, legs, etc will still fit the 1400 desk top.

I phoned the shop and was told to order over the Internet. I did this with the speed of light and phoned them back. I have paid for the 1400 desk by credit card and they said that I have to go in to the shop to get a refund on my credit card.
The steam was coming out of my ears at this point, so I pointed out that I would not be going to {big city} for another 2 months, that I am disabled, can not use public transport and do not have a car.

After a lot of thought, he decided that they could issue a cheque in full refund.

Small result.

After 5 years of using my grandson's cast off computer desk with pull out -wobbly - keyboard shelf on which I had to perch the laptop, it is so nice to have the laptop properly on a desk.

Even if it does stick out a good foot into the room from the window.

I have not moved anything other than the laptop and the modem as well as Palm charger and mobile phone charger through, and will not do so until this is all sorted out properly.

Sadly missed Bridge this afternoon.

After the fitter left I had to make a choice between a large stiff drink or joining my friends at the Scrabble table. With a little gentle encouragement from TBSITW, I chose the Scrabble.

I had some biccies left from when best brother visited, so took them through as a thank you.

Quiet

I shall be quiet for a while.

My new desk is supposed to arrive tomorrow.

If it does not, the silence will be only on-line: I shall be making very loud, angry noises over the telephone.

In the meantime, I shall be calm.

Daylight Saving!

Ah, Daylight Saving, you understand!

Last night at 2 am, we changed to British Summer Time, with the clocks going one hour forward.

Guess who forgot.

Yes, right first time.

After a somewhat disturbed night, I wakened something after 9 o'clock, only to discover to my horror that it was in fact after 10 o'clock.

My goodness, almost lunchtime, never mind breakfast time.

Showers!

No, not rain showers, but the joys of a cold shower this morning, once again.


On doing a search of my blog for "header tank" I find that the last time the tank was topped up was 3 January.

Only 3 months ago.

Le chef suggested it might be due to a loosely fitting lid and a warm room.

Ah.

Not only is the lid loose (dropped it into the tank trying to re-fit it and had to fish it out - luckily I had filled the tank right to the top, so I could grab it), but there was a central stopper to the lid which I cannot find.

May be lurking at the bottom of the tank, so completely lost.

Anyway, to the process:

Took all the stuff off the floor.

Then took all the luggage off the rack over the top of the tank.

Then propped the rack on a cube of paper handkies.

Then filled the tank - it took 10 litres.

Then put everything back where it came from.

Oh boys, that was an effort.

The good news is that a parcel arrived from Lands End. It contained two lovely cashmere sweaters which are now parcelled up for return as they are hand wash only and my hands cannot cope with hand washing garments.

Knew I should not have ordered them as they were rather expensive, but now I shall be £216 better off!

A Blast From The Past

I am reading "The Demon of Dakar" by Kjell Eriksson.Yes, yes, another roman policier, this time a Swedish one.

Suddenly I came across a character called Schonell - a goodie, you will be glad to know.This brought back back so many memories.

Does anyone out there remember Schonell's Essential Spelling List?

Throughout my schooldays I had to take home this book and remember the spellings of so many words, of increasing difficulty as I grew older.Never thought to hear the name again.

Best Brother

After my wonderful cleaners left the flat sparkling (pun here for the cognoscenti), best brother visited for tea and biccies.

We had said tea and biccies , as are always requested.

The library exchange was carried out. His wife and I swop books, either to read and return or to read and pass to charity shop.

I then produced a newspaper article to show him granddaughter with her large cup for piano playing. He sent congratulations to her.

He brought out a bundle of photographs, 4 of which had just arrived this morning from the USA where his daughter and grandson live. 2 showed grandson playing baseball (wonder how long those white trousers will stay white!) and 2 were photographs. He is 8 years old and looks so poised he looks much older by British standards. I think it is an American thing.

Other photographs showed his 4-year-old granddaughter in her birthday party dress and another showed his youngest grandson now 8 months old.

We had a good blether, catching up with all the news. He is going to be away for a while now, so glad he had the opportunity to visit before he left.

Another Expedition

I had a Tesco delivery this morning, which contained a substitute for Dry Martini of Tesco's own brand. Of course, that went back as I consider it disgusting.

So off in the buggy as the sun was shining (cold, stiff breeze, mind you) so off to Somerfields for the real McCoy.

After that to Williamsons for some artificial flowers to put in my bedroom window.

I had spotted Optical Express on my way in so returned there and asked if I could have my eyes tested as I had just had a reminder from their branch in big city as it is a year since my last test.

Needed new reading glasses as mine were damaged in one of my falls, so asked for "cheap and cheerful".

First pair, £199.

No, absolutely not.

£79.

No.

£59.

Why not £49 as advertised?

Oh, she was trying to get more flattering ones.

These are reading glasses, for goodness sake. I live on my own and no one else sees them. Even if they did, I wouldn't care.

So, at last, £49.

Result!

After having to ask someone to move his van, parked on the pavement and to move a signboard also blocking the way, home safe and Scoot safely parked. Getting better at this.

Daughter's Visit

Yesterday looked like being another boring day and I had planned my post to read :

"Washday.

Again."

However, after the first load went in, I received a text from dearest daughter asking if I were free for lunch.

Oh boys, of course I was!

Fortunately(!) I had had a bad night's sleep and got up at 6.30am, so my 2 loads were ready for 11.30, just when daughter arrived.

Off we went to Dobbies for lunch where I looked for an artificial flower arrangement and found several that I liked, but did not like any of the vases much, so only bought a loaf of bread.

Back to the ranch when daughter, armed with a few goodies from me, left to go home.

After that I roasted a beautiful organic chicken and made bread sauce to go with it. My bread sauce is famous, but it is really Delia's recipe......

The Lemonade Awards

Sage, whose posts I follow and greatly enjoy - and Dickiebo – have both named me for the prestigious Lemonade Award.

I am now obliged to name 10 favourite reads of mine in order to present them with the award.

The first, of course, is Sage. She always writes such interesting posts, so much so that even TBSITW has read them from time to time! With love and hugs for the difficult times she has been going through recently. A mention too for her ratz. Well, somebody has to love them.

Second is Dickiebo who is such fun I would consider proposing to him were he not already married. His comments on my blog never fail to amuse.

Third is Linda whose endlessly fascinating posts and excellent photographs have opened my eyes to a whole new world (cattle ranching in Alberta).

Fourth is a. who writes so well about life in England and France and posts some beautiful photographs. Particular mention should go to her posts about empowering women in the sub-Saharan regions of Africa. I should particularly like to thank her for stimulating me to read books in French again after a gap of at least 40 years. They are nothing grand, just police novels, but very stimulating for the mind.

Fifth is Tom Reynolds who writes fascinating accounts of life in the London Ambulance Service. He introduced me to blogging through his book “Blood Sweat and Tea”, so he has a lot to answer for.

Moving north of the border, sixth there is Trauma Queen, whose writing is of an extremely high standard, really poetic at times. I foresee a book ahead. He has finished all his training as a paramedic and just awaits the paperwork.

Dr Grumble and Dr Crippen inhabit a stratosphere where I would not dare to add them to this list

However, The Shrink has to be added to this list at number seven. Not only do I always enjoy his insightful posts, I should say that if I ever require psychiatric care I would prefer to come under the care of The Shrink and his team. This appears to be real teamwork as seldom seen in the NHS.

At number eight is Jobbing Doctor. His rants against the appalling behaviour of this government towards the NHS, and particularly GPs keep me up to date (and don’t mention Neil Bacon!) However of perhaps more interest is the other side of his life, his tastes in reading (where I have often selected books from his list and found them always worthwhile reads), and also reading of the fact that he has a baritone voice and sings in a choir and plays the cello too. All good for the soul.

At number nine is the little medic and his fiancé from whom we have, sadly, heard very little since graduation.

Finally at number ten is Michelle Au, an anaesthesiologist in Atlanta who posts about her delightful 3 year old Cal and new baby Mac. She posts many photographs. Cal is such a beautiful boy that it is reassuring to hear that he can throw a major strop, for example when going for his immunisations.

These awards are issued in absolutely no ranking order and there are many more whom I could have included.

I don’t like memes as I think they rank along with chain letters and clog up the internet, but I am happy to have shared my favourites with anyone who comes along.

Later: you nearly didn't get this post as I have spent ages reformatting it after uploading it from Word. I also apologise for no picture of the award. Can't cope with Windows Vista, XP was fine. Must be my age.

Busy Day at the Day Hospital

No sooner had I sat down than I got a cheery wave from one of the gentlemen on the other side of the room. Of course I went over to him and said that he would get everyone talking.

Needless to say, I am happy to encourage this. What a minx I am.

Almost as soon as I arrived and had a cup of tea and a biccie, I was grabbed by the Occupational Therapists.

3 OTs and 4 of us then set about making two sponge cakes. Not quite my way as they used margarine instead of butter and liquid eggs.

Liquid eggs? wtf??*

* = what on earth.

While we were taking it in turns to beat and beat (the marg was rather cold), one of the OTs made drop scones, or griddle scones (or pancakes, as they are known in Scotland). We had to leave for lunch at that point, in every expectation of being served iced cakes or pancakes at teatime.

However, after lunch, there arrived on the ward a slip asking me to go for a repeat x-ray, having had one before when I was admitted and proved to have a nasty chest infection.

The waiting time in radiology was posted as 50 minutes, and afterwards it was almost another 50 minutes for someone to come from the Day Hospital to collect me.

To add insult to injury, not only did I miss my cake I also missed my cup of tea.


I thought I had also managed to escape physiotherapy, but no such luck. Still, at least, after a bit of a moan, I did get a cup of tea and a piece of our cake.

Waiting to get into the ambulance for our lift home it was starting to sleet, so I have put the central heating on.

The veg box was the usual potatoes, carrots, onions, 1 beetroot, leeks, savoy cabbage and cauliflower. At the same time I had delivered an organic boiling fowl from the next door farm (straight to the freezer) and a beautiful chicken destined to be roasted tomorrow.

A Wonderful Day

Today after a long break, I went back to the bridge club.

It was so good to be greeted with glad cries of welcome from everyone.

Thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon.

Please excuse short (or absent ) posts.

Until my new desk arrives, I am finding it very uncomfortable crouched over a low table - which hurts my knees and back.

Normal service will be resumed when said desk arrives.

Mothers' Day

Sadly, no Church this morning as shall need to wait for the delivery of the stick holder. Pity, but at least it won't be long now.

Then off for a Mothers' Day lunch at a hotel in a near by town. We were a large gathering of elder son, daughter in law, her two children, her parents, her sister, husband and their two children.

We had a grand meal and a good blether catching up.

As well as getting two school photographs of granddaughter, I am the proud possessor of a newspaper cutting showing granddaughter standing holding a large cup.

She won this for coming first playing piano in the 9 and under 11 age group. The competition was a District one, so we are all very pleased.

The Scooter!

Today my scooter arrived after what seems like an age but is in fact much sooner than I expected.

First of all another demo and the answering of many questions, then another supervised short drive (glad of his support).

Then I was on my own.

So, off up the town to Marks and Spencer.

Seeing the Big Issue seller held the door to the shopping centre, I felt honour bound to buy one.

Then off to the other end of the centre to see what Somerfields was like before I went back to Marks and Spencer where I had lunch and bought some socks and a new shirt.

After that to WH Smith for a New Home card for brother's son. Of course, with Easter and Mothers' Day, there were none, but found a pretty picture of a house standing in a field of lavender.

Before returning home I went to the Church to check on the way round the back (nae probs.) and timed the journey home to know when I need to leave tomorrow.

Then back home and drove into my sitting room.

Decided I wanted to be facing out the way.

This involved quite a bit of (manual) manoeuvrings, but made it in the end.

Phew!

Breaking News

Just had a phone call from the Motability man.

My new scooter arrives tomorrow.

Look out world!

Daffodils

Today I went to the Council offices to get registered for the dial a ride scheme and to arrange for taxi vouchers.

After that I managed the walk to Marks and Spencers and did a little food shopping.

I now have daffodills in my study window, on my dining room table and a few on my mantle shelf.

I love to see them, especially as I can still look out to see the ones in the border in front of my window.

Cleaners and Cooking

Today my lovely cleaners came - well needed after a two week gap. After they left I peeled and cooked 4 large cooking apples and cooked two beetroot.

At least, I thought I had cooked them, but after 2 hours, they were still brick hard.

Anyway on to the next task which was to make a pot of what TBSITW and I call "soup soup". This is chicken soup with carrots, onions and rice. I had no chicken meat or stock so just used 2 stock cubes, and added salt at the end when I tasted it.

A quiet evening now, then back to the Day Hospital tomorrow for my final Thursday visit.

Potato Salad, Day Hospital

Yesterday, I managed to fit in a Tesco delivery, two loads of washing and a most enjoyable game of Scrabble.

Back to the ranch and I boiled potatoes for potato salad. Once cold, I cut them up into a large bowl and added chopped shallots, chopped parsley and chopped chives.

Looked in the freezer, but no cooked bacon., so took some out, defrosted it and then fried it and, after it cooled, trimmed it of fat and added it to the rest. Mixed it all up with Helmanns mayonnaise and, lo, potato salad.

This I served with a good slice of pot roast silverside removed from the freezer the night before and left to defrost.

Along with this, I served iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, spring onions and cucumber.

This evening I served the same meal, accompanied by a glass of Fleurie.

There is a story to go with the Fleurie. I was ordering a case of wine, unusually choosing bottles rather than taking a pre-mixed case and thought the Fleurie was a very good price, so I ordered 3 bottles.

No wonder the price was good. The "bottles" were half bottles.

Never mind, the wine tasted very good.

I mentioned before that TBSITW gave me some Molton Brown shower gel.

When I came back from the Day Hospital, and went into the bathroom, this wonderful smell greeted me.

At the Day Hospital I am starting to see some real progress. Sadly, so are others and I got a letter today saying that as of next week I shall be going only once a week.

Bet this is the thin end of the wedge...

Church and the Scooter

This morning I moved the OT trolley back to the living room (I really need it) and moved a dining room chair through to use to stand the modem and so on.

Later, TBSITW came and collected me and took me to Church, entering via the vestry to collect my hymn book and to find out how to get there by scooter. The poor minister didn't get his coffee either.

While I was in Church TBSITW sussed out the route for me and then drove me home.

As well as bringing me the bread I had asked for, she brought an AMAZING gift - a bottle of Molton Brown's Refreshing shower gel. Now we both love their Naran ji products, but were disappointed to find they did not make a shower gel in naran ji. However, a sniff at the bottle makes it out to be a very close approximation.

She really is The Best.

Friday The Thirteenth

This morning the men from Bethany Trust were supposed to come and collect my old computer desk and a chest of drawers, but the time went on and they did not arrive. In the end I phoned the Trust to be told that my address was still on their list, and they would be here.

Fine, I wasn't going anywhere.

Meantime the man with the electric scooter arrived.

There was no way it would fit in where the filing cabinet currently is.

However, like the song says "I'm reviewing the situation"... then "I think I'll go and think it out again"

I had been rather afraid of this, and thought of an alternative which was to move the living room furniture round a bit, and we tried that and it will work, although he recommended a piece of carpet protector sheeting for underneath.

So, off I went for a test drive. I am a bit nervous, but managed it fine - even cheekily asking to stop at the bakery for some rolls.

TBSITW was worried that it might run away with me coming down the steep hill, but it can't, a bit like a car in gear.

It was so nice to get out in the sunshine.

I am still waiting for my gp to call re my blood results....

Later:

Just when I was about to give up waiting for a telephone call from my gp, there was a ring at the door and it was one of the partners in person.

He made a thorough job of reviewing the blood results with me, which I much appreciated.

You should see the ramshackle set-up I have for the laptop and so on.

The laptop is on the largest of a nest of tables and the mouse is on the smallest.

The modem, usb adaptor and so on are on the trolley from OT department - not provided for this purpose.....

Computer Desk, Day Hospital

After TBSITW left me yesterday, I cleared most of my desk and the top of the filing cabinet.

The printer went first, then a small nest of shallow drawers, then a 3 tier set of filing trays.

This is all because the charity is coming tomorrow to collect a chest of drawers and the computer desk.

After I finish posting this, the laptop and modem follow and I shall be off-line for a bit - not too long, I hope as I have plans on how to set up a temporary home for them.

Today, back to the Day Hospital. The physiotherapist really put me through my paces and my quads were somewhat sore from yesterday. My balance is improving.

After that we were invited in to the occupational therapy room for tea and chocolate cake. I also collected my VERY OWN bookmark (shades of being a schoolchild again!)

We got another slice to take home.

A Good Hair Day

Yesterday, TBSITW and I were due coinciding hair appointments with our favourite big city hairdresser. We left early and went to Marks and Spencer where I bought an assortment of birthday cards.

Sadly I missed sending a card to brother's granddaughter for 10 March, but I had unexpectedly run out and could not get to the shops to buy one in time.

Just wait till I get that scooter........

I also got something for my evening meal and also some nibbles.

Then we went off. I wanted to get something in Boots and TBSITW wanted to go to Morrisons, further along the mall. It was arranged that we would meet up at THAT bench, and that I was not to go wandering off AGAIN.

So, there I was on the bench, idly looking at the burn on my hand. It was healing nicely and the skin was starting to peel in places. I started to pick at a bit of loose skin (as you do) and what happened?

It started to bleed from where I must have caught a small blood vessel.

So, back to Boots.

Waited in the queue and eventually got served.

I asked for a Melolin dressing.

Not only did I get a pack, but the assistant put one on and snipped a bit as it was at the gap between thumb and forefinger.

I returned to the said bench and it was empty.

I thought "phew" , TBSITW has taken longer than I thought in Morrisons -

until I saw her walking towards me looking worried, then cross when she saw me. She was not cross when I explained what had happened.

She then had to take a quick trip back to Boots then it was off to the hairdresser.

After that we went to Staples, and I have bought my new desk.

I found it so difficult to find a company that would deliver and assemble, with furniture at a reasonable price. Flat pack is no use to me.

All in all a most successful day.

Day Hospital

Today was another day at the Day Hospital.

The ambulance usually arrives between 9.15 and 9.3o but today they did not arrive until 10 o'clock. I was becoming increasingly anxious because it was so late. However it was a different crew today and they did not seem to think that there was anything amiss. (and there was I wondering if I should order a taxi!)

My usual physiotherapist lives on a farm and she was off today to help her parents with lambing so saw the senior physiotherapist. She put me through quite a lot, but what was particularly interesting was that two junior doctors came to see the department and I learned things like that it was a 12 week programme offered there.

In the afternoon it was Occupational Therapy and I managed to direct things to get what I wanted. I had noticed that one of the craft things people made was a bookmark, so I said I could really do with another bookmark. Some made bookmarks, some made other things but basically we all coloured in rather pretty outlines. I did not make a good job of mine, but pretty good considering the hand tremor. The picture is of flowers and leaves on a series of stems. The next time I go, it will be laminated.

Talking about directing things, I was reminded of my Midwifery finals orals. I was asked what was the sub parietal/supraparietal diameter. I was holding a model of a foetal skull, and felt the bi-parietal diameters, and then found that to get the sub parietal/supraparietal diameters I had to rock the skull. I then concluded that the rocking motion confirmed that it would be important when the head descended through the pelvis by asynclynticism(rocking). This is where a baby gets through the pelvis when the head is just too large and it rocks its way down. The only conclusion I could reach was that it was less than 9.5cm (the bi-parietal diameter).. The consultant kept trying to press me to give an accurate figure, but I would say only that it had to be less than 9.5cm.

Later on I was asked about different maternal urine tests and I kept trying to emphasise the one I knew more about than the others. The consultant was rather amused by this, but the senior midwife was po-faced - as so many were... Ah, memories

The occupational therapist and I had a good discussion about books we had read, we had many in common.

Phew!

This morning TBSITW collected me to take me to the District General Hospital to see the consultant neurologist. It was a very good, productive consultation.

We then went on for her to do a little shopping at Homebase, but later frustrated at the animal feed place as it didn't open till ten.

Back to the ranch for a cup of tea then off to the surgery for a repeat blood test. The nursing sister did a good job of accessing a vein.

Home again where I was dropped off in time for lunch.

This afternoon the motability scooter man called and identified a scooter to fit my small space. He did all the paperwork and will return with one to try on Friday. He does all the contact work with Motability, so I just have to wait. Lead time about 10 days!

I phoned Bethany Trust and they are delighted to uplift my chest of drawers and computer desk. They too are coming on Friday......

After all this I had a cup of tea with the Scrabble players.

Communion Sunday

Today was Communion Sunday and TBSITW volunteered (was forced?) to drive then walk me there. I made the comment that sometimes I am another dog requiring walking. The weather did its level best to make it impossible to go, very cold, windy and snow falling; however by dint of wrapping up well, I stayed warm.

By the time we got to the Church, there was no room in the car park and so TBSITW drove (illegally, although she was by no means alone) into the Church grounds and almost to the door. After she escorted me to my seat, she left to do some shopping and returned in time to collect me at the end of the service.

She left me with (amongst other goodies) some home made smoked trout pate which disappeared in shorter spread on oatcakes.

It was so good.

I am like Oliver Twist and want more!

After that delicious lunch I have put on a pot roast; silverside of beef with chopped swede, carrot, onions and a leek.

I finished reading Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngou Adidie. It was a big disappointment after Half of a Yellow Sun.

TBSITW phoned to say that she can come tomorrow to take me to the hospital to see the Neurologist (at 8.30). I then have an appointment at the surgery for a repeat blood test at 10.45. This could be cutting things a bit tight. If I don't make it to the surgery in time I shall ask at the Day Hospital if it can be done there.

A busy Friday

I have had a busy morning. First off, I phoned the surgery to get an appointment as soon as possible, as they were supposed to be done urgently last week. I am not a happy bunny that the samples haemolysed for two reasons, one being the difficulty they have finding a vein and the other being that it costs me £7 a time for a taxi to and from the surgery. I have an appointment for Monday morning, I hope allowing enough time after the the neurologist appointment.

Then I waited patiently for As**'s delivery (due between 10 and 12). When I telephoned at 12.30 I was told the order had been cancelled. Why? I made no changes to the order. This is even worse than T****. Wish there were more options here, but I am stuck.

I have now placed an order with Tesco for tomorrow between 12 and 2, so hopefully THIS time they will get it right.

A small victory. I have discovered that I can do a hot sync between my handheld and the Palm desktop on the laptop. On top of that I have found that I can print a month at a time from the Palm desktop. I really should learn to maximise a screen sometimes.......

Then got a letter from NHS pensions about the error to my pension over the years. They have now told me what my pension will be from 1 April. Instead of a modest increase it is a (not too bad) reduction.

This afternoon the chiropodist comes.

TBSITW gave me some lovely freesias some time back. They have a wonderful scent. Interestingly, the flowerlets do not die back one by one so that you cut them off to keep the flowers looking good. These ones just open up more and more so that from time to time one after another falls over under the weight and has to be cut off and put into a smaller vase - still blooming away.

The Return by Victoria Hislop

Most young people in this country think of Spain in terms of the Costas, as they head off for Sun,Sea and Sand (and perhaps the other S) on cheap flights, but there is so much more to Spain than that. Even close to the Costa del Sol is Granada with the Alhambra built by the Moors during their occupation of Andalusia , which they called El Andalus. This is the most beautiful and awe-inspiring building with intricate carving. They probably don't even head inland to see the mountains behind the coast.

And what about Madrid, the capital of Spain? How many go there?

Or Salamanca, which is home to the oldest university in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe, founded in 1218?

The Return tells part of Spain's history using a family in Granada to help illustrate it.

This is a very dark part of Spain's history - the Spanish Civil War, fought in the late 1930s before the Second World War covering the successful attempt by the fascist General Franco to overthrow the government. The atrocities were many. The Republicans, many communist, were hopelessly outgunned and out manned.

My faithful reader knows that I enjoy reading detective stories, particularly those from the rest of Europe. They tend to be faithful to the tradition of detective stories, but are flavoured with the setting and history of the country in which they are set.

I can refer here to a series of books by Manuel Vasquez Montalban featuring the private detective Pepe Carvalho. He lives in Barcelona and the memories of the Civil War are still there. the Chief of Police was (and is, no doubt) a fascist and Carvalho was (and is) a communist. During the Civil War, the man now Chief of Police held a similar role and carried out torture on his prisoners, including Carvalho. Yet now they must rub along together.

This was my first real glimpse into the Civil War, as a peripheral part of the detective series, so it was enlightening to read more. Victoria Hislop has done her research and she does manage to make the past real. Of particular note was her overage of Guernica, a name that will go down in history as a town that was bombed out of existence from the air by the fascists, although Franco tried to deny it. There was a war correspondent on site who saw for himself and reported it back to Britain from where it was syndicated round the world.

Worth a read.

Reminiscences

Some days at the Day Hospital there are gaps, occasionally long ones, when you have no appointments This is how I have managed to do so much reading.

Yesterday I had planned to populate the new handheld with address data.

However.

On arrival I was served with tea and biscuit.

Before I had even finished the tea, the doctor came and asked me to go and see her. She carried my cup of tea, bless her. She was very pleased to see how much improved I was on the previous week, and admitted that she had been quite worried about me. We had a chat and she examined my chest, saying that it was clear and told me that I would be having a repeat x-ray in 3 weeks.

No sooner had I sat down and put in about 3 names and addresses when it was the turn of the Occupational Therapist. 4 of us went along to the OT room for Reminiscence Therapy. Now, I was always an intellectual snob and could never see myself taking part in such a thing.

She produced a box of black and white photographs, about 9 ins x 5 and produced them one at a time. The lady opposite me was handed each one first, then it was passed round and reached me last. (Just as well it was in this order as it gave the others a chance!)

There were some I didn't know (such as Sylvia Peters - a very early announcer on British TV), but most I recognised. What was particularly good was that, after a photograph had been identified, memories were triggered. I thought the Coronation was in 1952, but that was the year King George 6th died and Princess Elizabeth became Queen. Many had seen the Coronation on television, but I remembered being taken with the school to the cinema to see two films "A Queen is Crowned" and "The Ascent of Everest".

A photograph of Marylin Monroe provoked memories of the Kennedies, and Chappaquiddick and so on as well as her 2 marriages - to Joe Di Maggio and Arthur Miller. It also led on to another photograph of Maria Callas. It all interrelated. The time just flew past.

And then it was lunchtime.

I had barely sat down after lunch to do some more data entry when the Physiotherapist arrived to do some more work with me.

A little more work then Sister came to discuss the visit I had had that morning with the Doctor.

And then it was home.......

I had bought a protective case for my last handheld, but it did not fit my new one. I was reluctant to shell out for another one, but found an elegant substitute.

When TBSITW and I were on holiday in Switzerland she bought me a very pretty soft spectacle case , white with little eidelweiss all over.

It holds my new handheld perfectly.

Thank you TBSITW.

Did You Ever Feel Your Right Arm Had Been Cut Off?

(With apologies to those who have required an amputation, particularly our armed forces.)

For many years I have had a hand held electronic diary/address book.

Two things happened in quick succession.

The first was that I gave my computer to daughter as stage one in the rather complex project to get an electric scooter. This ran Windows XP and came with MS Outlook.

The second was that I bought a laptop which ran Windows Vista and did not carry MS Outlook.

The third, which followed in rather quick succession was that my handheld fell over.

Dead.

So, I had to order a new one.

Now this was surprisingly difficult as I did not want one of these raspberries/strawberries/whatever*, just a simple diary and address book.

*All right, I do know they are BlackBerries.

Yesterday the new one arrived and I am now populating it with data. I have to do this by hand as I don't have MS Outlook to do a HotSync.

For the addresses I am having to use my Christmas card list. I have made a start on my address book and am taking the diary and the Christmas card list to the Day Hospital as a useful way to pass the time when the Physioterrorists are not attacking.

I think I have all the appointments in, and am somewhat relieved to have discovered a conflict between the Dental Hygienist and the Day Hospital – the benefits of being able to enter recurring appointments. I can now give the dental practice a call to rearrange.

The Vampire Strikes Again

This morning I attended the doctors' surgery for an appointment with the vampire.

Never mind, I have my defences against them.

After all those years of blood letting my veins are very friable, if not non-existent.

The first person had two tries with no success.

The second person made it on the second jab.

Just as well I am not an intravenous drug user!

Came home to find a letter from the District General Hospital to say that my appointment with the Neurologist on 6 April has been cancelled and a new one been made for next Monday, 9 March. Good to get it so soon.

Now that I have my laptop, I can see over into my small plot where the clumps of little daffodils are blooming away. In the middle of one clump two or 3 taller ones are starting to open up.

Spring is sprung.

And if anybody mentions rumours of snow, I shall be most unhappy.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Last week I finished "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini.

It is set in war-torn Afghanistan and illustrated by the story of two women from separate backgrounds whose lives come together unexpectedly as a result of the war.

It is a beautiful story, and the best summing up I can give is that if you liked "the Kite Runner" you will love this.

Back to Normal

This morning was catch up time with the washings.


I went down to the laundry room at 7.40 with 2 out of 3 bags to find the room busy and all three machines "booked". This was somewhat unexpected as you are not permitted to start a wash before 8am.


By dint of going up and down stairs and taking a book with me, I have now finished the three washes (washed, dried and put away.)


I pressed a lovely cashmere scarf given to me by TBSITW as the edges down the length rolled over. I also ironed two handkerchiefs.


Putting the iron away I knocked my left hand.


That was another trip upstairs for some Chinese ointment to apply.


Now I give no credence to homeopathy and other woo but when TBSITW and I were on holiday in China we were taken to a Chinese medicine place near Hangzhou. (We described this, among ourselves, as another shopping opportunity.)


We were in a group of about 20, many of whom were doctors.


Among other things, we were given a demonstration of a chain being held in a fire until it was red hot moving to white hot. One of the demonstrators then briefly held the chain. After that he applied this ointment and suddenly the pain was gone.


One of the doctors had a good look at the man's hand and said afterwards that, although there was no blistering, there was underlying tissue damage.


Nonetheless we bought some.


I still have some in a little pot and was very glad to have it to apply to the burn of this morning: the pain is almost gone, as is the blister.

T***o!

The veg box delivery ran out of potatoes yesterday, so I had to place an order with T***o for delivery today between 3 and 5pm (the earliest vacant slots.)

5.30 I phoned as the order had not arrived. Soft words "the order is on its way".
Forgive my doubts.

6pm I phoned again. Same thing.

6.30. Eventually the store called me back. The order had been left with a neighbour.

At last I collected it and I am now fed and watered.

It is so frustrating to be dependent on deliveries like this. I have so many times had trouble with them.

With an electric scooter I could keep the fridge and store cupboard stocked on a regular basis.

Aaargh!

Subtle Hints

I respond very well to subtle hints, especially if they are applied with a sledgehammer.

Accordingly, having rejected the suggestion fom both TBSITW and daughter that I get rid of one of my chests of drawers, I then went on (with TBSITW) to look at desks and was slightly horrified at how small a desk would fit in to the space available.

So, this morning I emptied one of the chests. The jumpers were easy - out of polythene bags and on to hangers.

The medicines were remarkably difficult, and the 'jools' are currently sitting out on top of one of the chests, but still, a good job done.

Cooking Again

Thursday was back at the Day Hospital and once more worked hard by the physiotherapist. She did give me a bit of a row about my expedition to the butcher and told me not to do it again. Not likely to anyway as I found it quite scary.

This morning I made use of 2 tattie scones from the freezer and a packet of pancetta to make bacon, egg and tattie scone for breakfast. (pancetta is not as good as Wiltshire bacon for this purpose). I don't know how long it is since I made a cooked breakfast.

Shortly after I finished, TBSITW arrived with two dogs - I always love to see them. We then went off to Dobbies to find a tray with bean bag. I must confess that, for eating on your own, it is wonderful. It also acts as an excellent tray for my book. (The Return by Victoria Hislop).

We also went looking for a desk with filing drawer. No success at the first shop, but got a better idea at Staples of modular furniture..

I had no real idea how small a desk would fit.

Both TBSITW and daughter suggested that I try to relinquish one chest of drawers to make more room. I kept saying it could not be done, but I am trying it out now.

That could make a bit difference.

I came back to tackle the pok choi from the organic veg box delivery and made soup with it using my usual "green soup" recipe. No, I had never heard of pak choi either (or Chinese leaves). Soup made and meal of potted meat, potato, and broccoli eaten.

I had to place a Tesco order as, amongst other things, I am completely out of potatoes and onions.

Re-approaching Normality

Yesterday was another day at the Day Hospital. I always offer my neighbour my pen to fill in her menu (she still does not have one!) Virtue brings its own reward as she encouraged me somewhat forcefully to get up and go over to the the table for lunch. There were 3 tables for ladies and 3 for men.

At the last moment, one poor lady came up, but there were no seats left at the ladies' tables, so she had to sit with the men.

I knew there were a lot of people there but had not realised that possible consequence.

It must have been a bit boring for her as 'men talk' as different from 'women talk'.

I had a good going over with the physiotherapist, working not only on building up muscle strength, but also balance. She has a special balance mat, about 3 foot by 2 foot 6inches and 4 inches deep.

These measurements are guesstimates, you understand.

I call it an instrument of torture as I find it very difficult to balance on it. Good for me.

This morning the doctor's surgery called to ask me to come in on Monday for a blood test and a blood pressure check (there you are, they do read the discharge letter!)

With my appetite coming back, I fancied some potted haugh (don't ask) and phoned the butcher to ask if he had any in. Yes.

I then phoned the taxi firm to ask if I could have a taxi to the bottom of the High Street, to wait while I went to the butcher and to bring me home.

Yes.

So, I did it, although the short walk to the butcher was very hard and I was afraid of falling.

We won't mention the fact that the taxi cost more than the meat!

Can't wait to get an electric scooter.

The Whirlwind!

TBSITW visited yesterday and tidied out my freezer.

How can I be such a slut as to let it get in such an untidy mess?

And how can I let that lovely contents list, which she made for me not that long ago, get so WRONG?

She is coming back soon to defrost the freezer.

What a wonderful person.

She tempted me to half a glass of Manzanilla sherry. I complained about the quantity (as you do), but when I had finished and she offered me more, I said I had had enough.

Must be ill!!!

She also left me a small serving of "rib-sticking" roe soup and put me on my honour to eat it.

Must have done me good as I had two cooking apples, and peeled and stewed them. I served them up with some ice cream from the freezer.

Don't know if it is the antibiotics but the ice cream went from plate to sink after a small taste.

I really need to kick-start my appetite......

Had a really good night's sleep, but still feel tired this morning......

Dear Daughter - M and Grandsons

A grand day today today, in spite of still feeling tired.

First off, we went to Dobbies for lunch. I found I could manage only the vegetarian one, but at least I ate it all. Dear daughter wheeled me in a chair to choose my salad then over to my table.

After lunch, elder grandson wheeled me round the shop where I bought very little.

Then we came home and daughter tidied out my wardrobe, a desk, removing stuff including a computer with which I have finished, and my bookcases leaving room for many more books which need filing.

Medical Intervention

Well, I certainly got my money's worth out of the NHS today.

Off to the Day Hospital in a blouse and t-shirt, although I wore a long sleeved blouse to hide the fact that I was still wearing my long sleeved vest.

We always get greeted with a cup of tea, then I was gathered up by the physiotherapist and really put through my paces. Sadly she leaves us next week to go to the bigger hospital near by. Never mind, another will come along and take her place.

And probably put us through our paces in much the same manner!

Next up came the occupational therapist, who questioned me in depth. I found myself saying things I had been keeping to myself, like a quite severe loss of appetite and no interest in cooking. She has suggested I come and work in one of their kitchens. No bad thing, I think.

Later the doctor wanted to see me and said that the x ray when I was admitted showed a chest infection, so she promptly prescribed some antibiotics - and I had them in my hand as I left. I said I was having a bit of difficulty answering questions about "when did such and such happen" - and often giving a wrong answer, before remembering the correct one later.

She reckons the chest infection could be at the root of much of my recent problems.

Interesting.

A very brief post today.

I had a wonderful day out (known as a "jolly") with my very good friend C and her husband B. We went for a long, rambling tour through the countryside - in perfect weather, stopping off for lunch on the way (I had fish and chips and a small bottle of Chenin Blanc.

I am just about to get ready for bed as I am very tired and it is off to the Day Hospital in the morning.

The Interregnum

On Monday, I was at the bridge club, when our chairman looked across and noticed I looked unwell. She got one of the gentlemen to drive me home. Very shortly afterwards, our House Manager took one look at me and said "you're getting an ambulance now. And so I was transferred to the District General Hospital.

I remember very little about the next 24 hours....

However, here am at home again large as life and twice as ugly.

I was told that, once again I was a bit dehydrated and must drink plenty. Interestingly, I always used to drink sparkling water, but gave that up some time ago as tap water was "perfectly good" Without realising it, I had come to dislike the taste of our local tap water, whereas that at elder son's is delicious and TBSITW has one of these American fridges so gets filtered chilled water, and ice "on tap" as it were. the lab always comes running when he hears the ice machine.

So today I am going out for lunch with a very good friend and tomorrow it is back to the Day Hospital.