Thickener

And I put all my lentils in my curry and it was still way too runny, so I had to ask a MOS what to use. She said "Cornflour" and coincidentally someone else was heading to Tesco's so I have given him instructions

But I solved it alone, leave the lid off and boil it for a couple of hours.

I have some Cornflour to use next time

Walkies

Then I walked up and down the road then up and downhill too. Probably the longest walk on tarmac in nearly 8 years

But afterwards I had to take my asthma inhaler, the first time I have used it in memory

Up Again

(excited)Got up s'morning and thought "What to do?" then it dawned on me, Dial-A-Ride is coming in a couple of hours......(/e)

And it came, took me to town for free and was cheerful. A new hobby

Patience

I have been thinking about making a bottle of Sloe Gin myself, but I think I may be well to impatient, drink some gin and watch the Sloes rot

Out

And I was outside looking a bit pissed off(0.7) and a MOS came up to me and said "Ralph wants a drink with you" so I went into number 2 to see Ralph, who can't do owt for himself, the MOS needs to pick up his cuppa with a straw in and give it to him etc. A "drink", I was expecting coffee but me and Ralph shared a bottle of beer to start. Then we moved on to homemade Sloe Gin, and Tonic, which I had a couple of

(0.7) Because I was thinking about the relatives who had just driven past me on their way home from 'across the road' who were too upset to smile at me and wave back. It occurred how stressful it must be to have "someone you love" being ill enough to be over there, if it was my kids or a loved one or my parents I would scream

Tea

So I had a coffee s'morning and fancied another drink about 11ish. I went to make it then thought "No, Neil, you are drinking too much of that strong proper coffee" so instead I took out an organic tea bag and had a brew. With lunch I will have another coffee but it has been ages since I drunk tea, my new habit(?)

It's lunchtime so I can have another cup of that dangerous harmfull stuff called Coffee ~ phew

Weirdness

So I woke up s'morning was sitting on the edge of my bed putting on socks and splint etc and I thought "Oh urgently, need a piss, shall I walk to the bathroom or wait 'til I can take my 'chair?" decided to wait put on my splint etc and left my bed. Since then I have been outside for a bit, back in etc still haven't gone to the loo, I seem to have forgotten that I was desperate for a piss

And I didn't do one until I was sitting on the loo an hour later to do a pooh, it wasn't urgent, it just came out

Dinner

So for dinner tonight I looked in the bag of veggie sausages, there were 3 left. I usually have 2 with my dinner but I thought..... then decided, "No, don't be silly, you are supposed to be on a diet", got the bread knife out and cut one sausage in half. So I had 1.5 sausages with cous cous for tea

Learned

I think that today's "partly clickable" page will be the last one I need to do to remind myself as I thing that I now know what to do

How lucky we are

T'other day I was wondering why it is still cold even under a blue sky in Winter time. Eventually I rethought it out properly, it's to do with us being half an earth thickness or less away from the sun in Winter and being closer in Summer.

So aren't we lucky that the earth is not a bit further away from, or closer to, the sun

More Walking

So I did another "twice the length of the road" walk today pushing my wheelchair in front of me.

Aargh

I woke up thinking it was Monday morning today and I had stuff on. Eventually I realised it was still the weekend

Walkies

So I was out the front walking up and down outside with my 'stick. At the top of the slope coincidentally a MOS came past. So I stopped him and told him about how without my 'stick my left foot wouldn't go forward of my right when I walked but it would when I was walking with my 'stick. But a few days ago I tried it without my stick and I seem to have learnt/remembered, but I was too scared to walk without my stick when I was concentrating on moving my left foot, so would he walk next to me and catch me if I feel over.
I didn't fall over and I can now say definitely my left leg is remembering where it is supposed to be going when I swing it forward when I am walking

Then later I walked up my road pushing my 'chair to the end, back down to the other end, then back before sitting down

Phew

Yesterday my big Sis phoned. She was trying to sort out Lloyds TSB after I tried to change my password (for security reasons) and since then it hasn't let me see my accounts etc. So she had gone to see them, I was shitting myself, but she told 'em what had happened and they said sorry and fixed it. OK, I still can't see my bank account but they have had to change my account number that I use to get in etc and this is being posted out.

... And At 'Em

So I got up about 8 AM s'morning, having been up needing a piss only once since I went to bed at midnight

Excited

And in less than an hour I can go out to Tai Chi followed by the Folk Club.

Wow, Tai Chi was really strange as I am much too ill to be trying it but just carried on, it was good. We just stayed for the first half as we were going off to catch the end of "The Folk Club"'s monthly meeting, it was very impressive too

And I did the first 3/4 of the Tai Chi class without sitting down, it was, I think, the longest I have stood up doing stuff for nearly 8 years

I am

My brain is getting better!!!!

Sigh

Well today is proving dull as ditchwater. Nothing good or exciting will happen 'til tonight when I am first of all going to Tai Chi then to the folk club for it's monthly do

Eat

And I cooked a curry today from the veg I had bought on Monday and water and oil etc. When I went to lift it I had to put about 1/3 of it in a box for the freezer, I thought "Where has it all gone, why is it so little?". Then it occurred to me, "Ahhh, you forgot to put any lentils in, no wonder it's small, and no wonder I was worried that it was 'too runny' for ages"

Dial-A-Ride

I phoned Dial-A-Ride yesterday, booked transport from my flat to the supermarket next Monday. They phoned today said "No can do, later?" I talked some more and the Dial-A-Ride bus is booked to come here at 10 to 11 next Monday and take me to't supermarket. Taxi back, but "free" journey there

S'afternoon

And this afternoon I printed out loads of bits of paper with my name, address, phone numbers, email and web addresses to give to people that I remember from the Tai Chi class tomorrow

Nowt To Do

So now I have no "extra" stuff to do, nowhere to go etc.

But I was reminded it's Tai Chi once more tomorrow followed by a late trip to the folk club, it's monthly night is tomorrow

Then

Then Freya came over to see me and I was so tired that I could hardly speak to her, but it was still good to see her

What a Day

So s'morning my Case Worker came and took me to nearly Cardiff on the M4 where we went in to the headquarters of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and I was "interviewed" and I think I got the job, helping them out with loads of photos on a PC that needs cleaning up. I don't know anything for sure yet but it looks as if they wanted me, so now I am waiting for them to check loadsa stuff to enable me to work there, and we need to employ a support worker to take me there and support me while I am there. It felt really strange being interviewed again but it was worthwhile

And then we were in my flat talking about all kinds of serious stuff until it was nearly time for Freya to come and see me, all in all an exhausting day

Grown up book

Today the first part of my new book arrived. So now I can try reading a 'grown up book' instead of the 'children's books' which I started this being able to read a book again thing. I have only read the first chapter so far but it is enjoyable etc

And I was sitting outside under the light at midnight reading some more....

Bus

And I have just phoned to check and the bus is wheel-chair accessible this morning......

Aargh, and then it broke down and an unwheelchairable bus came. (sigh) In another 50 minutes there was a wheel chair friendly bus coming, only going into Carmarthen but.... Eventually we got on that bus, said "Please go to supermarket". He said "No can do but after this finishes in Carmarthen I drive to supermarket between runs and start the next run from there, so just stay on"

So we went to the supermarket on a bus, now I have done it once.....

Gosh I am knackered now, obviously I didn't have to do much but the excitement/nervousness....

Leighton

So I have arranged for a MOS to come on the bus with me tomorrow, his name is Leighton. Fairy nuff. Then it occurred to me Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire, I went there on my way to Wales years ago in order to persuade a beautiful woman to move here with me, which she did

Shower

Had an early shower tonight as it was so quiet otherwise

Yes

It's Sunday today......

Watching Telly

Now I was watching this BBC iPlayer thingie again, I am a bit of a fan, but I ATM only watch programs that I recall from before my crash, how will I get to know modern telly?

Book

This morning I started reading another new book that arrived recently, it's called "Short And Shocking" after the stories within. The first story I enjoyed, lets hope the rest of the book is this entertaining

Out

So I went out to "play" last night, it was relatively busy but on reflection it was a Friday night.

I went there in my 'chair as I need to sit down and can't carry drinks while using my 'stick, but when I was there I parked at one end of the pub, stood up (with my 'stick) and walked thru the crowds to the loo at t'other end, came out and walked back to my 'chair

Busy

And I am busy ripping loads of CD stories that I ordered t'other day and they arrived today, I want to be able to click my PC and listen

C-ya Priory

Gosh, I feel exhausted from the hour or so of exercises I had earlier

Goodbye Priory

Well I had my last Physio at Priory Day Hospital s'morning. Gosh, it still hurt but was still good. My movements are still looking better than they were before and it still hurts trying to get better.

So for now I am finished, dunno what the future holds

RHS

So as usual the cuffs on both sleeves needed turning up before I put on my 'over shirt'. As usual I turned the right one up with my left hand easily, changed sides and was having difficulty with my right hand, as usual. Usually I try once or twice then buzz for a MOS to come and help me, we groan about how my right hand used to work etc. BUT TODAY I tried once to no avail, tried second time and it just worked, dunno if my right hand is getting more coordinated, stronger or what. But for the first time in nearly 8 years I did it with my right hand!!!

iPlayer

Well having had to download and install BBC iPlayer to let me watch that program with 2 Brain Injured chaps talking I tried downloading a couple of other comedy's which I watched 1 of earlier and I really liked it. Now my 'puter is set to switch the screen off every two minuted if I don't touch the keyboard/mouse but watching iPlayer I don't touch and it stays on, and goes back to "normal" switchy offness as soon as I stop watching programs

Last of, for now

And tomorrow I am going to Priory Day Hospital, which I haven't been to for a number of weeks, for the last Physio session, for this load of BoTox anyway

Tai Chi

And I am going to watch a Tai Chi class in a bit, to kind of see whether I should join it

Good lord, that can't be a marshall art, can it. But yes I am gonna join, wow that did me so much good, even if I could only do half of it for now but good lord, it was good. Fighting, nah, it's about making your energy flow...

And I knew half the "old hippies" who were there eg John who used to be my "landlord" at Happy Valley so next week I will have to take my contact details printed out so I can give them out

Bus Stop

Then s'morning I asked a MOS to accompany me to the bus stop to push me back uphill when I was returning. So on the way there I insisted that she didn't help me at all, as I won't have any help on't way to the bus stop in future. In future, for now, I will pay for my taxi on't way back as I will be struggling to carry a weeks shopping onto the bus. On the way home from the stop, the uphill section she still didn't need to push me, I managed it all by myself

S'evening

Gosh, I feel a bit..... summat after my DVLA interview today. I was really nervous about going at all, esp taking a taxi so far, but Denyse actually made that bit of the nervousness go away. I was just.... dunno, excited but in a bad way about it. After it is done I feel relieved. A lot pissed off that he couldn't answer me today but I kind of understand that too.

It's all done and dusted. Just waiting for an answer now

A Ride

Dial-a-Ride phoned me today and said "No can do on Monday" but there is a bus (running past the bus stop across the road) that can take wheelchairs and it is going to Morrisons supermarket on it's route to Carmarthen. So instead of Dial-a-Ride I will hopefully be getting a bus from over the road at 10.30 on Monday

S'morning

So s'morning I was taken, by Denyse (my case worker) over to see the DVLA doctor. He tested loads of movement and sight issues, I was actually surprised at how well I did moving, loads. My left eye can see straight well well enough but there is a bit of an issue with peripheral vision. When we were finished he said "DVLA will get my report, and from other folk they have asked about you, you should here from them in a few weeks". Apparently they can say "Yes", or "No" or "Go to Rochwood(?)" and be tested, they can fit various devices"

And he said "No, I can't tell u wether I think you have passed/failed, I am only a small section of their reading"

So ho-flipping-hum

Visitor

Then I had a few hours looking at Freya playing on my PC, but it was good to see her anyway

Tub

And after today I now have a rain water collection tub in my back garden. So if I grow some...... roses I will be able to water them from there

Gruntled

Strangely enough I don't feel disgruntled as much s'morning, so maybe they were talking sense

Disgruntled

And I feel just pissed off with it all. How long ago was the accident and I am still getting better. So I am still a bit poorly. Shit shit shit

Hah, it's not my fault, apparently

Shopping

Well I went shopping to Morrison's s'morning. I got everything on my list (and some more too) except a washing up bowl (to wash my feet in salted water) Luckily someone had already gone to Tesco's so I was able to phone them there and they brought me one back, which I paid for then

Bus

So today someone made a phonecall to Dial A Ride so from next week they have booked a trip from here to Morrison's supermarket at about 10AM on a Monday. Coming back I will get a Taxi for now as I have got so much to carry

Hopefully they will be able to get my 'chair on board.

OTB

0.42AM. Off to bed now, dunno where the last hour has gone, but goodnight

Dinner

And for dinner I had 1/2 of Jackie's lasagne and salad and half of my own oven chips that I had made

Reading

And I have just finished reading Charlie And The Chocolate Factory which I nearly cried at, loads. But I finished it, this reading is good

Installation

And I have just installed a new version of Firefox.exe, a 4 beta

Up

Still reading Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and was nearly crying at it s'morning

Whoops

Then David and I have fallen out big style. He has dropped me off here, without coming in, and gone home, back to Belfast in't morning

I felt the need to say "Stop telling me what to do" and he flew off the handle

And

I have just exchanged some txts with David and he is busy in town, he will see me about 2.30(1) and we will piss about etc. I need a lift to the barbers, he agreed.

(1) About the same time a Chinese person goes to the dentist.
Tooth hurty..... (C) David

Up

So I woke up at about 7 s'morning, lay in bed being bored, then got up about a quarter too so that by 8 o'clock I had finished pitting on my boots and splint etc and could go about my business

Charidy Shop

And me and my brother were looking at books in another charity shop today, and we bought another one. For 50p

Mae Wedi Gorffen

And yesterday I had just finished reading Neill and Sumerhill by John Walmsley. Day before I went to bed thinking "just 1 more chapter" couldn't stop reading, it was an inspiration. Reading, it is quite good, innit

More Practice

Earlier on today I took a pic of a car with a www advert on it which I was able to use as another practice, and it seemed easier now, so my last practice obviously worked

Surprise

And today (and tomorrow too, apparently) my big brother showed up to visit me, we went out for a drive about which filled me with tears then for a meal in t'hotel which was very nice.
When we were out I carried Peter The Teddy in my pocket and gave him some dinner too

Not At Hospital

So today I am not at Priory Day Hospital as I cancelled it because I had a meeting. Which has been rescheduled but they couldn't change my Physio back, so next Friday I will go and finish off my treatment

Fixed

So this morning some bells arrived, with attached ribbons. I tried and tried couldn't attach then so I had to ask a MOS for some help. I gave her my hat, a bell and a small screwdriver. In about 30 seconds she was able to fix it

Supper Party

Then we went along to Flat Number 5 where the chap who lives there was having a party for his birthday, cake and eats etc

Wedi Gorfen

And today I have just finished reading Out of Silence by Mary
Sorrell and I am reasonable proud that I stuck with
it from chapter 1 to page 126. Reading, it is quite good, innit

Walkies

Well, I am walking again s'morning....

ETB, ETR....

Went to bed about midnight or thereabouts, actually slept some and woke up/got up at 7 AM

Rough

So last night I actually know that I slept for a few hours. And I feel as rough as a badger now, flipping exhausted. So sleep is bad for me?

PDH

Well I was at Priory s'morning. Yes it was hard work, yes it hurt etc etc. My instructor spent some time while I was exercising telling other staff how much I have come on in a few weeks. Etc. Then after lunch I waited..... and waited..... and waited for ages to get a lift home

While I was there I tried to get next weeks session shifted to this week, originally I had other stuff happening but not now, and he made a few phone calls and said "No, NCD, too short notice" so I won't be there for ten days now, then I will finish my course

Evening

Then later today my beautiful daughter came to see..... my pc, I hardly got a glance, but it was still good to see her

It's back

For a couple of hours the interweb was still working but my website just came up as blank pages. Classic FTP still won't work but at least my website is up again

And Classic FTP works now,

phew

Fixed It

Well the man came round this morning and in 5 minutes he had fixed my cupboard door

BB, CC, BB, WW

Gosh, yesterday seemed really hectic, I still am not ready to sleep but it seems finished IYSWIM

Headway

Then we went to Headway for the first time since November. There was a Dr talking a lot of sense there. From his description of his past I am very glad that I didn't have my BI 30 years ago, 'cos then I would have been abandoned as f*cked. Then we had a raffle and unexpectedly I won a prize!!!

Dinner

Then Jackie came up to my room and cooked as a lesson to me, she brought the tin of mixed beans and some other stuff, I provided a tin of tomatoes, a big piece of broccoli and some Cous Cous and it was delicious, Jackie will write me a full recipe tomorrow so I can use it as a base for my food

L8R

And in a bit I am off to the supermarket to do my weeks shopping

Blinkin' flip, I was in Morrisons and someone walked past the other way, I didn't quite recognise her but felt a bit odd. Next aisle she came past again and I had to say "Excuse me, do I remember you from about 10 years ago?". She looked at me..... and said "Where from?". I said "Ah, sh*t..... Glynabbey?" She said "Yes, what's your name?". I said "Neil" and she said "Oh my god, yes, hello" She had heard that I couldn't walk or speak etc when I was in hospital and nowt since, so she was really pleased to see me. I was pleased to speak to her for 10 minutes and more pleased that some of my memory is obviously coming back.

Gosh and BTW the shopping went well, I bought a snack that I haven't had for 8 years for lunch etc

Sleep Is For The Weak

Well, I don't think I went to sleep last night, I think I was awake all the time...

Evening

Then for dinner I had half a Pizza that Jackie had left in my freezer s'morning and some oven chips, she also had half the Pizza she had bought and some oven chips which I had. It was strange having pre-made Pizza, like "normal" because for ages I have only had the ones I make

Sunday Walkies

So this morning I got up, walked into the kitchen etc, didn't sit in my 'chair 'til after lunchtime

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Well, it is Sunday today......

Busy

So s'morning I went off with Jackie along the A40 to Llandeilo, stopping at various "Neil's memory" places on the way, pottered about there, went into a Charity Shop etc. Went into the Country Park, Gelli Aur, where I used to go to college and do voluntary work, when coming back on the B4330(?) - the Old A40. Gosh I felt knackered when we came back, it's obviously hard work being.... proper

Even Later

Later Denyse my key worker came to see me and gosh we talked about loadsa stuff, about how I need to get a life etc. OK first we did a "Job advert and job description for my support worker" so it felt really strange to be on that side of the bridge as it were. As well we "Arranged to meet Sarah, an Occupational Therapist recommended by D". Then we arranged "We are going to voluntary placement in Bridgend"

It sounds like not much here but good lord, I am flipping exhausted after that

Later

Then a beautiful woman came...... (No Neil, she reads your BLOG, just shh)

Day Hospital

So I went to Priory s'morning, waited there 'til lunchtime, he then came and took me for Physio then I came back and had my lunch while everyone else had finished their pudding.

Again it hurt, but no pain no gain as they say

G*d

So I got well stuck into my new book today and while it is interesting she hasn't had the disaster yet but said that she loves that J*sus creep about three times on every page. Ho hum, I will try some more later and she if she starts talking more sensibly. As I believe it

Well yes, phew, she has now had her bleeding brain disaster and only mentions J*sus every dozen pages or so, gosh it is interesting. As of now she is much iller but if she got well enough to write a short book it is very impressive.

Underline

And I was looking again how to make my links in my BLOG underlined, eventually I found summat which was describing how to change the txt to "none" so I did what it suggested (a bit scary I don't usually get into code) but I did what it suggested except I changed "none" to "underline"

And I seem to have found out how to make my message filters work again, so phew for that too

Worn Off

Well, my gums, lips and teeth feel as good as normal now. Gosh I have been so busy, first of all with that Sam then trying to cook for dinner, which still isn't flipping ready, so I have just forgotten that I was in the dentists chair s'morning

Longer Term

And then WOW that Sam came too visit me. He brought Peter The Teddy back, he had been on holiday there for a few days, he brought me a book which he thought I might like, which I do BTW, he brought me a hat which they found in their clear out of moving..... just WOW

Memory

Now as I had deleted the thingy on here s'morning I only knew that the taxi was booked. I got in the taxi, he said "Where to?" I said "Dentist, Pond St" which I didn't have written down anywhere but I remembered. My short term memory is improving

Dentist

And I went to the dentist s'morning, it didn't hurt but my mouth feels really strange until the anaesthetic wears off

COSHH

So someone told me yesterday that I had a new COSHH report for here, and I recalled it must stand for Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health

Bit Pissed Off

So here I am, getting better by all accounts but I feel trapped here, no by passers, nowt but patients and staff

Owners

And Family Housing have just phoned me and asked if they could come on Friday to mend my kitchen cupboard, I said no, at the hospital they then said "Tuesday?", I said "Yes" so they will be here between 9 and 1 next Tuesday

PDH

So had my first session at the Priory Day Hospital since Chr^hHeathenmas. It fekt really strange being back, as usual I went on my 'chair, parked it inside and walked 'til I left. I said that "No can do" for my last session on 14th as visitors coming here, they said "OK, come the next Friday instead" and phoned to book transport etc. And yes, it was hard work as I haven't been exercising enough but it went well, no pain no gain

BT

So tonight I went outside my house with my BT landline phone in my pocket(1). I went 20 yds away and tried to phone my mobile, then the rest of the way along, another 4 flats and my mobile still went "Bring, bring" when I pressed my Landline

(1) OK, in my bumbag

Longer Term

Then an hour after they both left Freya came back. Looking very groovy in her new pretend leather jacket.

Teddy Bear

Sam popped in briefly today and he said "Sorry for telling you that we hadn't stolen your teddy, I found it at the bottom of a bag of pressies last night"

Walkies

OK, so I now have a (re)new(ed) habit. I got up s'morning and walked into the kitchen, I didn't sit in my wheelchair until after lunch

Whiskey Mac

And I have been looking for Stones Ginger Wine in Morrisons every week for ages to no avail, last week visitors came and gave me a bottle for Christmas which, apparently, they had bought in Morrisons in Llanelli, so I knew they should have some but I couldn't find it, so today I was there and I asked for some help, he said "Dunno, hang on" went and asked someone else so I was able to spend far too much money on Whiskey and Ginger Wine

Made Me Think

And while I was at the supermarket this morning I saw a three wheeled motorcycle parked there, it was the first that I have seen in the flesh and it got me thinking, perhaps in the future.....

Found It

So tonight I wrote a "Thank you for the Christmas card" letter to Steph. Then I thought "I do have some stamps somewhere, I remember". So I looked in all 3 drawers in the desk. To no avail. Then I, beginning to panic, looked in other drawers. Still nowt. Then I looked much more carefully through all 3 of the desk drawers, taking loadsa stuff out etc. Still no. I was just about to press the buzzer and shout "HELP" when I thought "I know they are not in the main pockets in my bum bag, but what about that obscure pocket that I haven't used for months?". Yes, how sad, they were there, so I didn't need to ask for help at all

Walkies

So for some months (or years) when I have been walking my right foot moves forward properly but my left foot stops on a level with my other foot, because there is an issue with my right foot bending to allow it forward. But today if I can put up with feeling scared etc both my feet move forward properly. If I am walking on a level surface. If it is uphill I can do it sometimes but it is much harder, if it is downhill it won't go at all. But still progress, better walking than a few days ago

AND a (beautiful) MOS said "Try it with your 'stick", which I objected to as I am trying to learn to walk without my 'stick but it made such a difference. So I was able to walk up and downhill with both my legs moving forward etc

But as I did it I realised that when my right leg moves forward my left foot is flat on the ground but when my left leg moves forward my right heel leaves the ground slightly

& At 'Em

Yes.....

Very Strange

This was an odd event today

Well Done

Just now I was trying to put a book on the top shelf of my bookshelf. I had to stand up and, more to the point, hold the books out of the way with my left hand while I used my right hand to lift up the book.