Buying

When we were on the way back from dropping Freya AND Toby at Julia's we went shopping briefly. First of all I wanted a bottle of Whiskey to go with the two bottles of Green Ginger Wine that Brian dropped off for me yesterday. Secondly (and this is why we went to Tesco's) I wanted to buy a jug with a lid on so instead of mixing single drinks worth of Mac I will be able to make a few days worth and keep it in the freezer

Off, in a bit

So this morning firstly we are going to Lloyd's TSB to find out why my cash card isn't working, then we are going over to take Freya put for the day

Then we went out for a Christmas dinner, me and Freya (and Paul) it was very nice and it was nice being with Freya too

And WOW but afterwards I went to a woman's shop with Freya, just good lord, it didn't hurt as much as I expected and she got what she wanted

Surprise

And tonight I was sitting here minding my own business when somebody walked up and said "Hello". It was Brian, Julia's father they are visiting from Leighton Buzzard for a few days and he came to see me. It was a bit emotional for me but after talking to him I know that Julia did love me, but I was taken away from her.

Cashless

So today, amongst shopping trips, I went to the hole in the wall to try and use my other cash card, not debit-worthy. I checked my PIN beforehand and put it in. I entered my PIN and it said "This PIN has been blocked". Hoo-flipping-ray, it was just after the banks close for the day when I discovered this, so tomorrow, before we go and get Freya I have to go to Lloyd's Bank and try to be assertive

Ybot

Then out of the blue Toby came round to see me tonight, to wish me a Happy Christmas etc. I was able to give him the first of 3 presents that Davy and Nora sent for all 3 of my kids

Winner

And today I was looking in my bag and I found the T-shirt that I won last night at the Folk Club charidee raffle

Here Now

He is here now, I almost immediately went for a nap, now wait and see.....

Then we went out for a drive along the A40 to Llandeilo, via where we usedta live, and back along the B4300, the old A40, back along the other side of the river

But today was proof in so many small ways that my memory is getting better, we drove along the A40 then I was able to say "Turn left here" and go straight to our old house with out having to follow the signs on the next turn. Also he said "Which way back?" and I was able to say "B43-summat" - I remembered that too

Weary

So there is no-one here this morning but I am glad of that as I am still tired

Folky

And an excellent time was had s'evening at Llanelli Folk Club, which now can sell Whiskey Macs

Eaten

Today I tried to spend sum cash on my visa card and it wouldn't. So we paid cash, went out of the shop and tried my card in a hole in the wall to get the balance. It ate it. THEN we went into Lloyds Branch and she said, dunno why it wouldn't work, so she cancelled it and ordered me a new one, which has to be sent to my sisters address as she is in charge then the next day they send new PIN no. so hopefully within a few..... it's Christmas and new year....within a few weeks I shall be able to spend again. She tried it and my cash point card still works so at least some cash can be mine

Done It Up

And this morning I managed to get my right boot on properly, didn't need to take it off and a MOS undo it and try again but the laces, doing them up, proved much too difficult

& At 'Em

This morning I woke up about 8.00 thought "Not yet" rolled over and fell back to sleep, didn't wake up 'til 11ish

Dear

So tonight I have taken my asthma medication which I left behind when going to Scotland and on my bed is a splint for my right arm which I also "forgot" but on purpose this time

Eventua-flippin-ly

Gosh, it took ages this coming home, it seemed quick to Bristol on't plane but it has taken ages, and 2 motorway services closed so no dinner, ever since. At last we made it etc

And we had to call in the petrol station of a services and eventually found a cheese'n'onion pasty to have for tea

Waiting

And so here I am today waiting to go back to Wales

Bed Soon

So today I had the rest of my visit to Scotland, after lunch tomorrow I will set off in Ian's car (as Carly goes to work first) but I seem to have a lovely time visiting. Ed will meet me at the airport tomorrow lunchtime

Pressie

And he isn't wearing it today but after he wore it all day yesterday it probably needs washing

Cake

And we had my Christmas cake last night and it was delicious. The Royal Icing was a bit too hard but the cake was delicious

Well

So today is the last time I am at Carolyn's. I am paranoid...

Hippy Chrimbly

So I have been here all day, with my parents and Ian's Mum as visitors, me Carolyn and Ian and 3 of their 4 kids. We had a delicious dinner earlier and I have been eating sweets as if I am neglecting my diet all night

George Michael

I was watching some news and it mentioned George Michael and how he needed a tracheotomy, like I needed some years ago. I was talking about it to a MOS and she told me how when the switched off my breathing machine that "they" thought I was gonna be dead at once

Wow

Just wow, well today I am in Scotland with extra guest's my parents and Ian's mother who arrived this morning. They are all very impressed with how much better I am generally getting better

And today my father paid me £50 as his five pounds for every pound I have lost. The first of many payment

s

weary

Gosh, what a day27. so Ed came to mine at 8.00 s'morning then drove for hours to reach Bristol airport then we got on a plane and flew to Glasgow where some of my family were waiting and the other half are coming tomorrow

Sam

Then later today that Sam chap came to see me and just generally be clever and good at 'puters etc. He is planning, if he can, to do a PhD in Biofuels which makes me a bit proud. He's my son and he wants to save the world. And we wished each other happy Christmas and Sam set up a Dropbox (which has extra size because he invited me) and he said that he really rates his Kindle too and he has already bought loadsa books so he will be able to Dropbox them to me for Christmas

And today I was having a crisis with BT, my email server was too knackered to post again today, I cried at Sam, he spent 35 seconds on my PC and it was working again

Alone

Then because Ed has so many hours with me tomorrow etc he went off today and left me alone

Packing

And we packed my luggage for tomorrow and he wrote down a list of additions that we need to pack last thing tomorrow morning

New Cushion

And the man came to deliver my new wheelchair cushion s'morning and just good lord, I feel much higher up than before, I think the old cushion must have been knackered

Warm

And last night in bed, as usual the heating switches off at midnight, and I was so warm(1) that I didn't need to pull my duvet over me at all last night

(1) Or so drunk??????

Excellent Folky

And we went to Llan-summat Folky Club and it was more excellent than usual

Tim

Timmy came here s'morning. We talked some bollox then went out to.... to...... to that Evil Tesco's shop, yes, I know, but we went there to try and pick up an 'normal' sized organic loaf as the sliced there today one I buy in Morrison's doesn't fit properly in the toaster. And I had to buy some more Organic Juice as I had finished this weeks smaller amount and I'm not going away for 2 days yet

Just In Time

And I took a phone call s'morning from someone who said "We shall deliver ur new wheelchair seat on Thursday, will u be in?" so I said "Y-E-flipping-S"

More Shopping

After lunch we went back to town and I bought a smaller pot of Listerine Mouthwash which will be easier in my hand luggage to Carolyns in a few days

Chocolate

Then "someone" gave me a piece of exploding chocolate that they had brought, which was unusual, scary but pleasing too

Also later today "someone" went around the shop and bought 2 Twix, 1 each, which we then bit the end off the bits, then bit the other end off and sucked up some hot coffee thru it. Then wait 10 seconds and nibble the rest, melty and mmmmm

Shopping

Then me and Paul went to town and had to look in 2 shops but eventually found a Bah Humbug, it's Christmas hat, which pleased me.

Alarm Clock

And this morning my alarm clock went off and woke me. Although I wasn't deeply asleep still...

Burry Port

Burry Port Folk Club tonight, I didn't sing owt despite many requests and I didn't have too much to drink

Boots

This afternoon I went for a nap, took off my boots and taking Paul's advice from yeaterday I undid all the laces in the right boot from top to bottom. Then I had a nap, sat back up and reached for my boots. The right one I was nearly putting it on by myself, I paused, put on the straightforward left one then tried again. And YES, I was able to put the right boot on and then tie it by myself. The first time I have ever been able to do that since I got my new splint and boots!!

Me&Ed

Then later (it seems much later as I have been up for hours) that Ed chap came in, put my splint on for me etc, then took me to Morrisons to do the small rest of the weeks shopping. Now we are back at home and hoping to go back out after lunch (when hopefully it's drier) to buy some bits for my toothbrush

We have already phoned the airline and checked that when I clicked on "wheelchair" that they paid attention

Then we went to Superdrug to get more heads for my electric toothbrush, and it was half the price of buying 'em online. Half!!!

ETB

So s'morning after lying awake for a bit, got dressed etc, sat outside for a bit, was half way thru eating an enormous bowl of breakfast when the alarm clock went off

Weird Dream

And when I was asleep last night I seemed to think that the batteries had fallen out of my camera, I had put them together but had 2 pieces left over. When I woke up my camera was still in my bag and functioning

Superfood

Then today while we were in't shops we saw, and bought, a coconut, a superfood which I thoroughly enjoyed, both the milk and eating the flesh

Out&About

Then this afternoon we went to a)Morrison's Supermarket where I bought some weekly supplies which we bought back here and put it away, then b)We went to Matalan where I bought another black bobble hat to keep in here as well as the one in the boot of the car, and a pair of fingerless gloves so hopefully I can wear gloves and operate my gadgets too

2nd Dull Day

And this was the planned dull morning but yesterday was dull morning because the staff came in l8r so they could stay l8r as I was busy having a Chrimbly Dinner with 2/3 of my kids

Christmas Time

So me and Toby and Freya went out for dinner tonight, that Sam is still at college so couldn't come, and we had a delicious sort of Christmasy dinner

Crisis

And I was too late going for a nap today, I didn't go to bed until 15 minutes before Freya arrived and ever since I haven't felt 100% up to the day

Well

So today was mostly a boring day, I had no-one in s'morning and Ed and Timmy came in s'afternoon and mostly chatted between themselves while I read outside etc. Later on I answered a txt from Toby saying "Can u pick me up from here instead of me walking to yours" and then later still, when Freya had come in too, we went out for our Christmas Dinner together which did make me feel a bit like a Dad again

I am getting better

Gosh.

Well tonight the bossy woman from here came in to write up my ISP and we were talking about me and other residents etc. And I nearly cried because she was telling me about how I am changing as she sees it in the year and three quarters I have been living here

L8r

Then l8r we went shopping in Waverley Stores, where I bought not quite as much as last week as I am going away, and we had to say "No eggs next Friday, please" as I will be in Glasgow instead of shopping here

And today I was wearing my wrist creature to show them, she said "Look at the arse on that" etc etc

Wimming

And this morning we went to the swimming pool which I wasn't looking forward to but actually I felt much better afterwards. We walked and walked loads with me concentrating on keeping my right foot level, then we did some stretches of the legs and the arms and even tho it did hurt with my right arm and leg they did move up about as far as my left ones were.

So yes, I wasn't looking forward to it but it was actually noticeably good for me

And when I was finished I walked to the steps of the pool, right leg first, then left then.... then.... my right leg wasn't strong enuf to lift when I was slightly out of the water, so left, left, left, I climbed out of the pool by myself!!!

Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief

A week ago if I brushed my teeth then tried to rinse with cold water it hurt. Also if I drank hot tea/coffee it hurt. So a week ago I bought some new toothpaste, Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief (noisy link), and now my teeth don't hurt. As I have already got a (bigger) 2nd tubs it will be a while b4 I know if they are seriously saying "It'll be forever"

Fark

Then today apropos of nowt I took out our travel documents for going to Glasgow at the weekend and on the returning one is still said 23rd not the 27th. Aargh, Ed phoned customer services and talked to them for half an hour while being charged £90 for changing the time on the flights

Dentist

Well, afterwards I went to the dentist which was scary having a massive root canal job done. It hardly hurt me at all but I couldn't close my mouth or speak for about 40 minutes

JIT

And just in time b4 the dentist the wheelchair fixer man came, fixed the brake that doesnt stop the wheel going round and noted the 2 other repairs that we need new parts for

F*ck, f*ck, f*ck,

Going to the dentist in a hour for my special long appointment

Stuff for Scotland

So first thing s'morning me and Ed loaded up his car (well actually Ed alone) with all sorts of "stuff" to take to Scotland. Well stuff that we don't need to see in the next week so it is now loaded into his car and tonight it will be loaded into his Mum's car and she is driving to Scotland tomorrow, via loadsa stops on the way so Ed's uncle will have all my stuff and bring it to the airport next Friday

Mañana

So tomorrow first I have the wheelchair fixer coming to fettle my 'chair and then, in the afternoon, a long dental appointment where they are gonna take my temporary fillings out and fill the enormous hole that I think goes between 2 teeth

Evening

And at the folk club tonight I just drank pints (2) of Guinness instead of my "usual" shorts and it felt OK

More Afternoon

Then I went to bed for a 30 min. rest. Afterwards we went shopping just to take more cash out of the bank and to buy more blueberries.

Then tonight we go to another folk club, the Queen Vic in Llanelli

Busy Afternoon

Then this afternoon Sarah the OT came and we finished making my Christmas Cake which is being taken to Scotland tomorrow!!!!

Busy Morning

Oh what a morning we have had. Timmy came round at 10 then by about quarter past we were heading off to Carmel to take pics of broken gates etc. I usually go out later but today needed to finish early as Sarah the OT is coming round to finish my Christmas cake, which a MOS mother is taking to Glasgow to his granny's tomorrow. Next weekend at the airport said granny is gonna meet up with him anyway so hopefully she will bring my cake along, so no scary baggage handlers will be involved

What A Day

So s'morning I had no staff as they were having a meeting about me. Then later Paul came roughly simultaneously with Denyse my case manager. She listened to me for a bit, said "You'de better get these Disabled Abseiling folk to get in touch" then they continued their meeting while I went to bed. Half an hour later I got up just before Denyse went away 'til after Christmas. She left me a Xmas card which was a bit embarrassing as I didn't have one to return

Then later that Freya came around and was very pleasant, summat is working on her

Aargh

So first of all we went to Headway where they were having a free dinner 'cos it's Christmas. It was delicious food but not a roast dinner, in fact it was curry and bits. Then we went to Headway for what I thought would be our last meeting. But within about 20 mins or so I had agreed to get involved in a Disabled Abseiling do about April or May so we'd better go along 'til then at least

Then we went to The Friends Arms and had a small drinky or two then came home

Clean Up

Then after lunch I had to go and run a bowl of water and do the washing up early today as I am not to have dinner tonight, we are being fed at Headway

Phew

So Ed came round s'morning, put away my washed sheets etc, then took me to (More Reason's To Shop At) Morrison's where we bought food etc, then came back here where he used his Memory Stick to transfer some staff(y) forms over to the new laptop so someone else can look after them

And then I asked Ed to mend my bracelet. I thought there was a bit of string in the drawer but I actually found elastic. So excellent, it is tight fitting round my wrist but pulls off easily.

And he had to phone the wheelchair fixing people (3 times) and make an appointment for them to come and "fix" 3 different issues, next Thursday

More Reason's To Shop At...

And Timmy came round after lunch. First of all we went to Morrison's and bought half of my list for Monday's trip as it was a bit big. Especially as I am buying the minimum in supermarkets and most of it in the health food shop.

Then that Toby came round and was a bit...... un-himself. We took him home in the car and .... he is going to bed early tonight as he hasn't been to bed for a number of days

Sunday Morn

And this is the only daytime during the week where I am alone. "Ooh what fun we had" (not WS). Just a dull, raining, morning

Napless

And we were so busy today that I had no time for a nap. I promised Timmy that I would have one after tea but I have been so busy catching up with the day that it is now much too late to nap and I have just put my dinner on't table.So I will have to see how I feel as the night goes on

And it is a quarter to ten now, I am still awake but thinking of bed soon. So yes, I am a couple of hours missing

What A Day #58 (3)

Then when we were on the way back we went, got Toby and took him to the Hospital to meet his new baby sister which was making me a bit emotional but went well. I wasn't allowed in to see them as non family members are only allowed in briefly but it went well anyway

What A Day #58 (2)

Then we stopped and had lunch in a motorway services as it was getting late

What A Day #58

So Timmy came in s'morning, faffed about for a bit then took me to Pedalpower in Cardiff. Firstly we had a conference as last time I was there I needed a special pedal on the RHS to protect my foot etc but since then I have a new splint and there is no need for any of that nonsense, I just get on a bike and go. It was excellent, I cycled for three quarters of an hour. The only issue I had was that the pedals were about 1mm too close to the seat so my right leg was hurting for 10 degrees of a circuit but not by much

L8r

So then he finally arrived today, we did boring paperwork etc then there was a knock at the door. It was a chap delivering the new lapdogtop that is gonna live here, and we will move sum files from my PC to it so I will be less crowded etc

After hours of setting it up and putting antivirus on etc we went to Waverley Stores where I didn't buy as much food as last week. We also went into Tesco for summat and I bought some newbie frozen food to try

Phone Call

And I have just taken a phone call from Paul and he said "There has been a huge crash outside Pembroke Dock and they have closed the road, I may be a bit late"

Better Code

And for some reason I was searching Google again and for some reason I discovered how to put an MP4 in the body of a webpage instead of the head like I had to do

Windy

Well luckily the weather here isn't as bad as Scotland ATM and thank lord that it is happening now instead of the 23rd. Anyway we sheltered indoors s'morning then went to the gym after lunch and good lord. 1) I got the assistant singing Rocky Horror at one point and 2) I am so much better

Wow

What a day, the dentist wasn't too mad but a bit expensive and the folk club tonight was excellent even tho I am uploading a HUGE file ATM

More Scared now

And yes I am more ill at ease because at 11.30 I have an appointment with the dentist

Fear

And yes I am slightly ill at ease because at 11.30 in't morning I have an appointment with the dentist

Walkies

So Timmy came in s'morning, caught up on paperwork then took me to the first gym session I have had with my new splint. So I walked in and did loads of timed walks etc then loadsa standing up exercises etc. They were pleased at my progress and so am I

And then later that Freya came over for dinner. We had the same dinner as last week but this time I tried turning the pies over in a small plate holding them in place with a T-towel instead of trying to use both hands and this time the pies worked, it tasted and looked beautiful

Burry Port

And we went to the Folk Club where they sell whiskey macs.... And for the first time in 8½ years as my left hand was no longer holding a walky stick I was able to walk to the bar, by a drink and carry it back by myself, walking

Ding

So then later Ed came and got me, initially took me to (More Reasons To Shop At) Morrison's where I bought more stuff than usual. And today we went up the first aisle with me in my 'chair then at the end I stood up, attached my hands to the trolley and walked everywhere we needed to go to buy stuff, still stood up went thru the till, still walked outside pushing the trolley

Goodbye

And this morning for a couple of hours my sister and her hubby were here before they set off to Scotland again. I will see them in 18 days as then I will be in Scotland for Xmas

Evenly Walking

And I today fitted an insole into my left boot so..... dunno.... but it feels better. More evenly heighted or summat

MOS

And I was having my usual moan about being here amongst much iller people and the MOS said "Yes, most of the other residents should be in here, they should be in a home", I said "Like across the road", she continued "Not in a getting better place like this"

Tenby

So Carly and Ian came over to mine about half past 11 today as they had been in a shop and they said "No, we can't sell you anything until 11AM". We had a conference about the seaside, I said "Nah, too far" but Carly insisted so Ian drove us to Tenby and it didn't look good, couldn't find anywhere to eat so we came back and had a delicious sandwich (with freebie salad and crisps) in (More reason's to shop at) Morrisons and it was lovely if a bit long routed.

They have gone off now for 40 mins to let me have my daily nap

Ho hum, this afternoon I was stuck trying to make conversation with Ian as Carolyn was being nosey looking through "my staff"'s notes about my life

And then we went and knocked on Toby's door, took him out for a meal, to The West End on Lammas Street (?) and then brought him back here so I could give him his new alarm clock

It seemed a bit odd having Toby with my when I met then. I used to do this when he was 4ish, now he is bigger and trying to prove himself as an adult

Well

So s'morning Paul came over for a bit, took me out shopping then we were back home before Carolyn and Ian arrived. OK they phoned first and said "Delayed flight" but they turned up in the end. They spoke to Paul for a bit then he went away. We went out and I bought them dinner, to say ta to Carolyn

And she did comment that she hasn't seen me since April and now I seem much better and happier in myself. So I think credit to Denyse and Ed and Paul and Timmy

Sloe Gin

I had the only sloe gin I am having tonight a few minutes ago. But I feel the need to neck it, I finished it in about 2 seconds. Not having any more now

What A Day #58

Good lord, a strange and busy day has been had. Paul came in, faffed about for an hour or so then Sara(no h) the Physio came in.

She had phoned me and said "I had a leak at my house last night, I'm coming but will be half an hour late". Good lord etc, that combined with how long we talked about my walking etc(1) meant there was no time for swimming today.

After lunch we went out, faffed around town loads, got the bits for my cake, went to the health food shop and got my shopping. And in Waverley Health Food I stood up and walked about, did my shopping from upright. The women who works there was well pleased

(1) Hence me walking better now if I try it

Awake

(Sigh) The first time I looked at my clock this morning it sed 10 to 6. I lay there awake and sulking 'til 7.10 when I got up

I think in the past I used to enjoy occasional lie-in's but since I was forced to stay in bed for a number of years it has worn off, I need to get up now ASAP

Big Difference

I am still astonished at me walking with no 'stick in my new boots and splint. Just generally shouting with joy and so on

Ding

So Ed came in s'morning. Just before he came in Linda Smith was 4 minutes early to cut my toenails. After she finished he faffed about for a bit then took me to the Gym for my weekly exercises. It feels really different with my new splint but I suppose we gotta get used to it. When we went into the gym on my wheelchair then I stood up and walked everywhere with no 'stick. I think it was the furthest I have managed. There was only 1 step that was wonky, I couldn't make it, I waited there for Ed to catch me up then took hold of his arm took 1 step then let go again