NYout

And we (me and Alex) are off in a bit to the local pub up the road

And no-one was celebrating new year, we were home by 11pm, we were there alone most of the night, a neighbour came in by himself at about 10 past 10 and had to leave with us about 17 minutes later as they threw us "all" out

'Wimming

So s'morning me and Alex went swimming, and did loads of exercises

(embarrassed)

NYD

So it is New Years Day today but the first item in my diary is nip to Cawdor Cars and have some modern computer tool updated so hopefully it will fix some of the random errors it is showing on the display

But as we were driving there I said "Oh, that thing with the code number on it, they looked in the office to no avail, is it in the manual here?", and he found it while sitting at traffic lights on the way there.

And the tyre pressure sensor appears to have stopped randomly saying "Help"

He Has His Uses

So last night that SmallPaul got stuck in with a screw driver and mended the bathroom door and the door to the airing cupboard so they both now close properly without having to push then so noisily and loudly

You might think "WTF?" but if I am gonna live here I want stuff to be right

Nearly Crying

And so me and SmallPaul went to the swimming pool today. We went in, that beautiful worker was sitting behind the counter and she said "No swimming today, it's broken"

Better Weather

After being forecast as freezing 'til midday and freezing again at 6 pm t'other day it is not forecast as freezing at all today, phew, much less cold (And my heating is fixed anyway...)

Heating

And as I sat on't loo s'morning I can feel the heat coming from the radiator next to me. It is fixed...

Dave

And I have just watched a program about Dave Allen being on telly in the 70's and just wow

Surprise Visitor

After lunch there was a knock on the door. It was Brian, Julia's father and Toby, my first born son who I didn't even know was in Wales, come to see me.

Plumbing

So s'morning we kind of hung about here waiting, no phone call from the landlord as he had promised. Eventually a strange van pulled up and someone knocked the door. It was two plumbers that the landlord had arranged to fix the heating. In about 2 minutes it was up and running but then he said "We promised to fix this bit last time, hang on", made a phone call, popped off and did a purchase then came back and fixed the flaw that they promised they would fix months ago.

I was nervous running my bath after they had been operating but it all worked well. So long may it continue etc...

It IS Over

So back to (closer to) normal shop opening times etc now

And yes, s'morning we headed to More Reasons To Shop At... (noisy link) and got my usual Sunday shop, then we popped into Wilko's and got some de icer for the car (I had to borrow some off SmallPaul s'morning) and some pens for the whiteboard in the hall, it had run out

Bye Bye

And my parents came round s'morning and stayed for a couple of hours and at about lunchtime they went off, back to Belfast

They did compliment me on being so much better too, which was nice. For them too, being able to

And they are currently having a getting home thru the snow crisis. They made it to the airport, checked in...then the airport said "We will take you to.... airport in a coach then try a try a plane" so they left the airport and were queuing for the coach when someone else from the airport said "Belfast flight, we will try it" so they had to queue through check in again

And they have just landed, some hours after they left here. I was just about to go to bed, they left at lunchtime

Its Over

Bring them...

Out For Dinner

So we are going out to Tafarn Tanerdy for tea then up to the local pub for a quiz

And the dinner was delicious, and the pub quiz was entertaining too, even if we did come last

Shopping (little)

So we went to Wilko s'morning and bought some new batteries for the FES as we are down to the last one. It should last weeks and weeks but I need to have a replacement within easy reach, as it is important

S'evening

And I carried both my christmas hats out of the car tonight and out them away. I am taking off my christmas jumper later and will be back to "proper" clothes and no hat's tomorrow

Xmas#2

And s'evening we headed back into the hotel and had a Christmas buffet, not a big meal like lunch but nice it was anyway

Shh

And as I have been able to go out, have dinner and not need a pee until after I come back several times now I think I'd better stop talking about this. My bladder is better. QED

Shhh

New Trews

And today I am wearing my new trousers that my mother bought for me. They are two sizes smaller than the ones mum bought for me last Chrimbo

Xmas

Then l8r me and GGtGG headed into town and went to the hotel my parents are staying in. Again I walked in and out, I think I am an EX-wheelchair user. So walked in, sat at table and had a delicious Christmas Dinner. We all decided not to have a starter so we could fit in a pudding, mmmmm Xmas pudding I had

Now headed home, nap then going back into the hotel later to have some dinner

Ho ho ho

So we got up, I had breakfast and medicine first, then went in and opened my Chrissy pressies which was nice. Then my parents arrived, we had a cup of tea and a small portion of the Christmas Cake they had just bought and brought. Then they went off early and I had a bath but no sleep yet as in half an hour we are going to their hotel for Xmas lunch

At a guess I will have a nap(lette) when we come back here later

Kids Xmas Dinner

Then we went out, I walked from the car and into t'pub up the street (I had no FES fitted either!!) where I bought Sam and Emma and Freya dinner. It was nice I didn't get too drunk to be able to speak to Freya etc. And I had a piss before we went out and I still haven't had one, I need one now but I haven't had one for about 3 hours.

That's a normal time frame, so obviously I am much better

I was nervous giving Sam and Emma their present in case they didn't like the picture he had painted but they both sounded positive, so.....

Folks @ Jim

So I went to gym s'morning and met my parents there. As it is about 6 months since they have seen me there they were well impressed etc

Loos

So I was sat on the loo s'morning, having my morning pooh as usual, I wiped, flushed and then it occurred to me.

Isn't your loo a remarkable invention?

Wrinklies

My parents have landed in Cardiff now...

Nearly at Swansea now...

And they arrived, unpacked then came here for an hour before taking me out for dinner at their hotel, where they are staying. It was as delicious as expected but they had to come and say "Sorry, no veggie lasagne, what do you want?"

And tonight I had a piss before we left home and didn't have another until after we had come home again, ages and a half later

And someone at the hotel did comment, they only remember seeing me in my wheelchair which I had abandoned tonight

Drs

So first of all we went to the docs and picked up another 'script for cream for my chest. Today I got out of the car, walked into doctors, walked back out, walked across the car park and walked down to the chemist. Again, more proof of how quickly I am improving.

Then we went to gym and did a quick workout

So next week when I order my cream 'script I better phone them instead of using the online form. The past 2 weeks I have ordered 2 cream and they only give me 1, but as the doc said "Use it for 6 months" and one tube only lasts a week it means lots of visits to my doctor, I want more 'script and fewer visits

Don't Buy It

No Neil, it's not funny, no

Picking It Up

And when I was in t'loo s'morning I got a piece of loo roll. Because of "gord nose what" disasters a piece of loo roll, perhaps 1 cm x 0.75 cm fell on the floor. I just bent down and picked it up like a normal person, no holding on with one hand and lowering the other etc, I just bent down and picked it up

This is a small event but it is evidence of how much better I am nowadays. A year ago I would have to shout "Help", 6 months ago I would have bent down while holding on to the sink with one hand etc

Parents

And my Mum and Dad are coming here tomorrow to stay for 3 or 4 days

I Was Busy

Fscking "rehabilitating" but I had not heard about this disaster until it was mentioned on the news today

Relax

We were in't car today heading home from gym, GGtGG said "Relax now" and I said "No, I haven't laxed even once, how can I do it again?  Relaxing?"

Jim

After we came back from the shop GGtGG said "Swimming now" but I protested and said "No, school holidays" so we went to the gym instead where I a) walked up the stairs and b) got stuck in and did my exercises and cycling.

Cycling does my head in too. Yes, it is still difficult etc but it is so much easier than it was even a month ago

Shopping

Well first thing s'morning we headed to Home Bargains to pick up some more (much cheaper here) mouthwash, I got a months supply.

Then we had to nip to Aardvark and pick up coffee, muesli, juice etc which I usually buy there on a Friday but it is closed this week. As I didn't know we were gonna go s'morning yesterday we already went to the supermarket and bought a load of organic ss milk which I had frozen, so next weekends shopping is already in

My Mind Is Boggled

Good lord, this interweb thingy is truly mindboggling sometimes, here is my firstborn and an old friend.....

(boggled....)

More Reasons To Shop At....

So we went to Morrison's s'morning, got the usual small amount plus some milk for next weekend to put in the freezer as Aardvark is closed on Friday when I usually do my weeks shopping

OMFG

So I got out of bed s'morning, took off the sheets, put them in a basket then walked into the kitchen carrying the basket in my right hand/arm. No wheelchair was needed to carry etc. The first time in more than 12 years when I have managed to carry summat that heavy and walk

Pick It Up

And I went to my wardrobe s'afternoon took out a change of clothes. Then accidentally I dropped my pants. "Help, help"? No, today I could just bend down and pick 'em up

Just wow etc, how much better am I getting?

Pittance

Aargh, today's conversation (on Ixion) about work/wages etc eventually said "not to mention whether you might feel that earning a pittance and having ... support you would make you feel guilty" I feel that I did worthwhile work for a pittance for years, eventually I found myself in a well paid job and 4 months later someone tried to kill me

Oooh and not posting summat to this effect to Ixion hurts my soul but I am sick of being seen as......

Advice

And I spoke to Timmy s'morning about what I was saying in the last paragraph of "James" yesterday about walking without my FES and he did say "No, you need to keep it on....." for reasons I am not sure I understand or agree with but I will take his work for it now....

I AM Getting Better

Wandering about my flat today it occurred to me.... Walking is still harder than it was before my accident but it is so much easier than it was a few weeks ago....

Quote Timmy, "You are no longer a wheelchair user, you have one sometimes...."

James

The we went to the last gym session before Christmas and did as always loads of exercises. Frankly it astonishes me (and I had to tell Sam how much I need to praise her) how much progress I have made.

ATM the big one is being able to bend my right leg when walking. I couldn't do it previously and therefore I couldn't walk even one step without my 'stick

AND I switched my FES on, went into gym and switched it off almost immediately and left it off for the rest of the time. I don't know whether it is good or bad, being able to walk some but perhaps loosing out on it's improving facilities

Aardvarking

And I went shopping in Aardvark s'morning. Got it all etc

When I was there I walked up stairs and turned around and walked back down. GGtGG said "?" and I said "Practising"

Shopping

Then we went out to Wilko after dinner but it shuts at 6pm not 8 like we both thought. So we headed off to Tesco, looked there too and couldn't buy anything. So a wasted trip

...ing

So we went to gym at lunchtime. It was busy but not overly so. Today I was, amongst other stuff, doing the lifting weights straight upwards and as I did 2 then waited for a minute I could actually do 10 in total but it amazed me how much stronger/more flexible my right arm has got, I was able to lift it about 98% of the distance I lifted my left arm

If Only

If only I believed I would say a prayer for the kids who were shot at their school today

Fredumpkins

Then we went and picked that Freya up from school. We came here had Linda McCartney sausages, oven chips and I fried 3 eggs to go with that, we had one each.

My egg frying technique needs some practice

'Wimming

So we went swimming at lunchtime again. It is getting to be less unpleasant now I am getting more physically able in so many ways but I still don't enjoy it. Possibly on principle

The new laminated instructions makes it much better too.  I spoke to a swimming instructor today about how much I should be bending my knee from her point of view. She said "Almost no bend at all" but for therapeutic reasons I need to kick from a bendy knee. But I did try "proper" kicking for a few yards today

Noisy Bike

Later I was just about to get in the bath when the doorbell rang and a few mins later Alex called me and said "visitor" so I wrapped myself in a towel and came out. It was that Stuart chappy so I got dressed and left the bath for later. He was full of praise for how much better I am etc but had to leave early 'cos he didn't want to be riding his bike on icy roads.

But it was good to see him again

Then

Then after lunch we headed off to gym. Alex was softer than usual and said because I had been out walking so much earlier that I could not cycle today so it seemed like no time before I had finished the 'exercise' exercises

Early To Alex

So Alex came in at 8am s'morning, did his handover, waited for me to finish my pooh and then set off to Swansea to see the wheelchair fixer. And we found it, found a parking space and were still 5 minutes early. He looked at my 'chair, measured me etc and ordered me a new one. And he did say "I think so" when I asked "Can I have a pink one?"....

He said it should be delivered about February, they will contact me closer to the time.

Then we nipped to the Docs and picked up my script, then walked the hundred yards to the chemist and got my two 'scripts

Not Runny

And I don't have diarrhoea which was predicted as a possible side effect of the cream for my chest

'Wimming

So we went swimming today and it was the first time we were able to take the newly printer and laminated instructions and it did help me be a bit more positive about the whole session.

ObAnd we had loads of creams and soap substitutes with us to keep my routine as close to usual as possible

Next Week

So I looked at my diary online and clicked on "next week" and there is Christmas, OMG it's that soon......

Two Chocolates

And I was preoccupied yesterday morning and didn't eat my advent calendar so today I had two chocolates after breakfast

Another Week

So I am starting another week tomorrow. Sigh but wow too

Shopping

We nipped to Wilko's to get some lights for the Xmas tree s'morning, then we went to Morrison's and bought food.

Then after lunch we went back to Wilko's (and somewhere else too) until eventually we didn't find any Christmas headgear with antlers but we found some antlers which we were able to add to my Santa hat

Out

And an excellent evening was had in The Friends Arms just down the road

Less Spotty

And my chest seems to be much better, altogether less spots today. Dunno why but it's good......

Pizza & Chips

For dinner tonight. And I remembered to put garlic on the pizza tonight....

Jimming

So we went to the gym at lunchtime, me and Alex. It was as hard work as usual but I got stuck in. What really amazed me today was just how far I can bend my right knee. For a couple of activities I concentrated and it is just wow, so much better than it used to be

And I wore my antlers today...

Aardvarking

And I went and did my shopping at Aardvark again. It is getting so much easier to shop on my own two feet. Today we parked across the road and I just got out, walked a bit up to the crossing, crossed and went in. And back, my wheelchair stayed in the boot

Pepper Pots

So because my battery powered pepper shaker has broken I bought another, very expensive but it should be delivered in the next couple of days.  But because that is broken I had to get out an old manual grinder which had to be replaced because I couldn't work it. But tonight I tried the manual one, which I havent used for a year or 18 months, and it just works. So obviously some aspect of my hands and arms is better, but I have already spent way too much on a new battery version

Late Gym

And we waited until after five tonight and went to the gym then. It was busy but not too much. So when I got on the bike I went at 40 for 9 minutes then at 75 for one minute. Well 75 for the first 30 seconds then about 65 for the last. So we decided that for my second lot of faster I should just do 30 seconds but do it twice. So thats what I did and I went faster for both sessions

Sad

And today we headed into town and tried 2 shops in the end we found a Christmas Jumper In Store 21

Care Homes

Just now on the news they were talking about how someone had closed a care home because it was.......unsatisfactory.

This makes me think about the care homes I have lived in. Yes, in so many ways I was unhappy but the standards of care were at least satisfactory

'Wimming

And me and GGtGG are going to the swimming pool shortly. I got my stuff out but he is checking lists etc as we speak

And it was mad, GGtGG's list of exercises washed off his hand but we remembered about 80% of the new exercises

Walking To Advent

And again s'morning I had to walk to my Advent Calendar to get my chocolate

Jim

So we went off to gym at 12 o'clock today, it seems to be a quiet time. So yes, we took my wheelchair but left it in the car, first of all I did 4 exercises then got on a bike. As we had had a conference t'other day I cycled for ages at 40km per hour then for one minute I didn't go flat out but at 60kmph. And yes I was out of breath when the speed dropped again but I wasn't too knackered to continue, I could carry on and do it again twice more

New Cream

So after my bath today I will have the first dose of my new cream put on my spotty bits instead of the older stuff I was using. So now I will use Clearasil bath scrubbing stuff still and this new cream, nowt else

And I was nervous afterwards, I had been warned "Don't touch it" so I went to bed in the nude as usual for ¾ of an hour, but today I put on a t shirt before lying down

Width As Percentage

So I had a photo on my website which looked fine in the browser on my PC. But on my iPad thingy it went all wrong with one picture above the other instead of side by side. So s'evening an idea came up, I asked Startpage if I could express picture size as a percentage instead of absolutely and then it looks fine both on my PC and my little iPad device too

Shopping

After all this (I had no time for a nap today) me and SP headed for Tesco's and picked up a load of Sweet Potato Oven Chips

Docs

And we went to the Drs to see my regular doc about the spots on my chest. She said "Dunno, try this for 6 months at least and don't put on other stuff" so we got that 'script and put my other wipes in the cupboard. I will continue to use the Clearasis wash stuff but no other.

But she was positive about my blood test results so at least summat is working

Swim

So me and SmallPaul went swimming today. SP knew where my own float was and so we took that. In the pool I was able to do about half a width on my front with the float. First time we did it my right leg just stayed still, couldn't kick but the second time it just kicked like a normal persons leg. But because it hasn't kicked for so long I got a strange pain to one side of my spine, just above my pelvis, at the back

Morning Walk

So I did my now routine morning walk again today

Choke

And I ate a snack bar earlier then Alex needed to come and pat my back as it was stuck in my throat

Muscle Memory

And I am still being impressed about how much my right foot remembers how to stay straight and flat when I walk.

I think the FES has taught it well.....

More Walkies

So I came out of my bedroom in my wheelchair s'morning as I had to carry my bedding to the wash, I put it in the machine, went out to the hall, parked my 'chair and walked away to have breakfast

In the past I have been unwilling to walk after being in my chair but I am improving all aspects.....

Walkies

And I just stood up in the kitchen, held my walking stick off the ground and walked out of the kitchen, across the hall and across the living room to my PC chair, without touching the ground with my 'stick.

Perhaps a dozen and a half steps but without holding on to anything and without any assistance (eg FES), just proper walking.

House

Just before lunchtime we nipped out to have a first look at another house in Abergwili(1), which I was feeling more positive about than Gareth. It is beautiful, no neighbours etc but the road if it gets icy might be a bit slippery and Gareth was concerned about flooding in the winter, dunno, we will have to look into these but I think we should have a better look

(1) Abergwili pronounced as A Big Willy so why am I wanting to live there....?

You Can

I was in the utility room fetching my lunch and in the process I dropped 4 pieces of lettuce on the floor. I didn't shout for help, I didn't hold on and.... I just looked, moved my feet, bent down, bent right down and picked them up with my bare hand. I wasn't holding on with my other hand, I just picked them up

You CAN walk

So there I was sitting at my PC when it occurred to me, eat your Advent Calendar so I was about to go zooming across in my 'chair when I remembered, "No Neil, you need to practice walking" so I stood up, walked the 4 or 5 paces to get it, popped it in my mouth and walked back and sat down again

Access

And while I was eating my breakfast s'morning on the BBC telly they were being appalled at how poor disabled access can be around the country. Which initially I thought "Only me and about 7 other cripples" but apparently it affects 20% of the population, who can't shop there, eat there etc etc

Better

And we decided not to put a dressing on my right shin today as they do seem much smaller etc. We will check in't morning

Gym

Then I walked into gym with Sam today. I am a bit gobsmacked, I think day by day how I am doing but in gym I think "How was I ..... months ago?" and it is too much for my brain to take in

Ing

And s'morning we went to Aardvark again, walked in, walked up and down the stairs, walked into the back room, walked back out etc etc

Sigh

So I am off to the doctors in a bit for my diabetes blood test and then I am nipping to gym for a workout

So I walked into the Doctors, drove to hospital for my blood test (I know!), drove to Morrison's to pick up my 'script then drove to gym. As it was late I got on a bike. After 7.5 minutes me and Timmy fell out and I stopped and came home

Dunno whose fault it was but it's done

Right. So I called Timmy in, we had a discussion and I think we have mended our bits, we know what to do next time

iPhone

And I tried (again) sending myself a txt message from TinyTimmy's phone, an iPhone which doesn't have a keyboard and it proved possible, certainly not impossible so when my phone is up for renewal in March/April.... see what's available then and try it out

Again

So we (Me and TinyTimmy) discussed what was happening today and decided to do bugger all s'morning then have an early lunch and bath etc then go off and have my blood test then go to gym and have a late session again

Late Gym

So because we had been delayed s'morning and then The Git had taken off my iodine plaster so Denyse could have a look we didn't go to gym until much later, after my nap. It was well busy, too busy to get stuck in but we managed 2 upper body exercises before I got on the bike. So at 6 minutes I did a really fast minute and then I waited until the last minute to do another because I couldn't carry on yesterday after it.

I couldn't today either but my time was up anyway so I just finished

'Net Was Broken

And the internet connection broke s'morning, it was no longer connecting thru the wire but wirelessly. It did still work but slower. So "someone" has to get on their hands and knees and switch off and on again the router box which is half way down the back behind my desk and the router in the hall too. It all came back to life a couple of minutes later

The slow picture on my screen and the quick one

Hooray...

So (The Beautiful) Denyse is here giving Gareth and Alex their yearly assessments then I have to..... swear swear.... go to the swimming pool with Gareth The Git where we can do loads of new exercises that I learnt t'other day

And she was here for so long that we missed the quiet swimming pool window so I will go to the gym and do some exercises later

Meatless Snooker

I was watching a snooker match on telly earlier and in between games the commentator commented on how both players were vegan. No meat, no dairy....

• I felt bad about eating a yoghurt while this was on.....

Gym

And we went to gym after going to that Tesco's place to buy some more ink for the staff PC. It was quite good, did just arm exercises then got stuck into cycling, so after 6 and 12 minutes I sped up for 1 minute which was I think effective but after the 2nd fast session I was too knackered to carry on and finish my session. So far I must just do one faster session per class

Patches

And tonight Timmy was a bit concerned about 2 spots on my right leg so he put on iodine dressings before my iPad thingies so hopefully it will be all cleared up in a couple of days

Aargh

The bag is packed, the iPad is charged..... we are off to meet Sara in a bit....

(That sounded much to positive, I am not looking forward to it after the first meeting...)

And it was total fun today. On the way in Timmy bought some arm bands which actually should have been called "Feet bands" after much mucking about

Intimidated

So tomorrow Sara the physio is meeting me and SmallPaul by the swimming pool and she is gonna teach me some new tricks while Timmy stands by the pool with the iPad videoing the whole experience so I can have no memory issues....

The Doctor

Gosh we watched a Dr Who tonight and it was as excellent as an excellent thing...

Saturday Nights Dinner

And because we had summat else last night tonight we had my usual Saturday night dinner of roasted veg etc and by gord it was as beautiful as ever, or more so

Improvement

And as I walked round to the recycling point today we noticed that even tho I didn't have any FES device fitted that my right foot has learned by itself to keep itself straight. I still need the FES sometimes but just wow being able to walk without it and 2 flat feet.....

AND I made some progress on walking later too....

Keen

And SmallPaul came into work 5 minutes early today as he is so keen....

Curry For Tea

And as Ed is here and I bought some extra ingredients yesterday (and last week) I was able to say "Do you want Linda McCartney and roast veg for dinner or curry?". So guess which I am preparing tonight

And it was actually rather nice. It said "Extra hot Vindaloo" on it and I could actually taste summat. It didn't taste extra hot but it was nice anyway...

Baldy

And Hair Cutter Ed is working today (I haven't seen him for ages) and my hair is cut once more

Pepper Grinder

So earlier that SmallPaul chap got stuck into trying to fix the pepper grinder on my table. First of all he replaced the batteries with non rechargeable (even tho they were freshly charged in there) this made it work a lot better then he discovered a screw under the top that had come loose and it is as fixed as a fixed thing now

Then Ed tried it again with rechargeable batteries and it works now SHRUG

Farm Foods

And we nipped out to Farm Foods for more oven chips, baking tatties etc. we were able to buy nearly half the shopping with the free card they sent me last week.

AND out of interest I was just about to purchase some packs of 2 baking tatties at £1.50 a packet but SmallPaul pointed out that the bigger packets of the same product were £2 for 4 as in £1 for 2 not £1.50, so I bought them instead

Gym Gym Jeroo

Then we headed to gym, which he hasn't been to for a couple of weeks. He really noticed how much better I am. As did Sam when, at Paul's request I got down on my hands and knees, leaning on a chair, and from there got all the way down and rolled over on my back {link fixed now}. (This she has never seen before [perhaps I was not able to do it])

From there the most difficult part of the operation was getting back up but again I managed that by myself

'Varking

So me and SmallP went off to Aardvark s'morning. We had to park up the street a bit so it is just as well that we had brought my 'chair, but we left it outside the shop. We walked in, walked up and down the stairs and all around the shop, to spend loads on myself

Getting Rid Of Him

So s'morning TinyTimmy is up and has moved his car early as SmallPaul is coming to take over at 9 then TT is going to return my device to t'hospital

He txted me later, they have been in contact and said "Still bad, keep an eye on him" so.....

Not Iechyd Da-ing

So today I was merely given a piece of equipment to wear tonight and instructions how to fit it but I still decided not to go to Iechyd Da as I didn't really nap s'afternoon as I was out getting my device

Inconvenient Time

And we have an appointment at the hospital in Llanelli at 3pm today, that's mid bath and nap time, dunno how to handle it.....

And Timmy came in, discussed the hospital later and decided that I shouldn't go to gym first. So when I stopped crying.....

Right, we went to the Cardio-respiratory(1) department. And they gave me a device to fit tonight when I am going to bed that notes how I am breathing and my pulse

(1) Not that I wanted to say "My heart was beating faster and I was breathing faster when I saw you" but I didn't have a chance

Walkies

So we went out tonight to have a couple of pints in the pub up the street, 'cos we wanted to see if they were open Christmas eve too, so we drove up and walked from the car into the pub

Walking

And we have booked a Christmas Eve Dinner with my kids....

Farter

So that's twice in two days now that I have thought “Extra pooh now“ gone to the loo, sat down then did the most enormous farts then not needed a pooh after all

Fixed

And after looking at the Interweb after I went to bed last night I must say that my new device is so much quicker that my mini-laptop which was there before

Drowning

And yes, we have drowning on my timetable s'morning...

And we went, I didn't drown, I was able to stand on just my right foot for 30 seconds (just once but I did it), I was able to do some hopping on my right foot that I havent managed for a number of years etc. But when we got out there was somebody in the big disabled changing room and the drain in the smaller one was broken so it was full of mucky water from next door.

But we managed, had an effective exercise session

But today, swimming on my back it feels much better/easier kicking with my right foot/leg

Strange (But busy [and productive]) Morning

Well, so s'morning TerribleTimmy took on board his role as a techno-geek. First of all we took down the broken telly and put it in my bedroom, where the iPad was. Then we nipped into the office and got my old PC and combined the two together

Then we drove to that SHHHH... Tesco's place and bought a new telly for my living room (cost only a hundred quid, I think it's not too dear, and it plays DVD's too) and some speakers so I can actually put music on my bedroom PC

Then we nipped to gym and did some exercises, then came home for lunch.

But we had to put the new telly in place and the

speakers in t'other room before I could stop and eat

Once More

Yes, it's white with frost again

Reading

And I have got right into reading my Kindle again, summat I haven't dun for a couple of weeks and while I am really enjoying the story every 3 or 4 minutes I need to think "Enuf" and turn it off for 5 minutes or so.

I can't just read it.....

'Wimming

Then when we came back from there we went off swimming. Afterwards I was thinking that..... SHH..... it wasn't as unpleasant as usual. We had a different routine with the towels this time and it meant I could get more properly dried etc. and we got the big changing room which makes "it" much easier

More Reason's To Shop At.....

And we had to do a sneaky extra trip to Morrison's s'morning to fetch a (few) new light bulb, the lamp by my bed blew last night and we couldn't find a replacement. I think there was one that was nearly the same size so someone must have bought it by mistake, the prongs were about 1mm longer than the one that fitted

Frosty

And it was well frosty s'morning (although the heating did work) I took this picture after I had got up, eaten breakfast etc, it still looked frosty half an hour (or more) later

Samwise

And it was nice to see him, he talked about the past and the future and how he expects me to call him Doctor after he gets his PHD next year etc

Another Busy Sunday

Tra la la, so "we" will nip to Morrison's (noisy link) later and buy bread rolls etc, then Alex can make my bed then..... then....

And that Sam chap is coming over at lunchtime which will be good

Interesting Fact:

In France 'Builder's Bum' is referred to as 'Plumber's Crack'

The weather

So today the weather has been sunshine, heavy rain half an hour later and it is now sunny again. And as it is November I have had to take off my jacket, just wearing a t shirt now

Now it's almost cloudless blue sky, 4 hours after the rain storm....

How Sick Am I

Sorry for being a bit depressing but......

So I had my accident 11½ years ago and in the last couple of years I have got so much better that now I am living here (out of an institution) with 24 hour a day carers, never to be left alone. 

So how sick must I have been 11½ years ago when I have no memory of events

It's OK, I am feeling a bit more cheerful s'evening, I am not thinking about that quite so much

Head down - eating

And I was happily munching away at my breakfast when it occured to me that I had to learn certain rules for holding my head in a certain position for swallowing etc, but I don't even need to think about them now, it has just become a habit

Rainy

And we were supposed to go out tonight to The Parrot in Carmarthen for it's reopening night but the weather doesn't seem very good so p'raps not tonight

Pizza With No Chips

So I am making pizza for tea tonight but as we had curry and chips a few nights ago I will have to have it with sweet potato oven chips instead

And no garlic tonight, I forgot, but it was still delicious

Gyming

And later we went to my weekly gym class. The weather had kept many participants off but I went. It was as good as ever, I can really see how much better I am getting when I am there

Shopping

So we did the usual buying organic goods s'morning, it went well, they had some shorter date stuff but upon looking behind this it was all buyable with long enuf dates. I took my 'chair to the shop with me but left it in the car as we parked 15 yds away.

When we came back I said "Bring it in" but didn't use it, just put all the various kinds of shopping away on my own two feet

Unexpected

And he phoned me from his Mum's (he's down helping her move) but I am meeting that Toby chap later today

VBG

And we saw him s'morning, he looks better than he has for ages etc, but he wasn't sure yet if he will be able to come here for Christmas, he won't know 'til next week when "work" tell 'em

But as I walked into the restaurant at lunchtime and sat on a proper chair,
my wheelchair stayed in the boot, I didn't have to go to gym.
But I have a proper class on a Friday, tomorrow

They are not supposed to....

What Fun

And, oh what fun, today me and GrottyGareth went swimming at the pool. As usual swimming was fine, really did well at the balancing exercises etc. And swam 4 lengths. Afterwards we did get a bigger changing room and as ever ran out of towels

Aargh

Then after my nap I said "The light isn't working again, so it must be the battery in the remote control" so we nipped into Wilko to get a replacement. The light still didn't work so I changed the bulb. It still didn't work so I shouted "Help". Alex came in and eventually found that he had knocked the plug slightly out of it's socket s'morning when fitting the new lead for my iPad. So testing it again with the old bulb and battery so we now have bought a spare battery too

Right

So s'morning the postman brought the new USB connector to attach my iPad to the Interweb. Lickily it was Alex working today who knows about stuff like this  etc, so I gave it to him. First of all we nipped to Charlies Store looking for a pressure washer and some hammer in clips for the wire. So I stood up in the car park and walked all the way to the back of the store looking but we were only able to buy hammer in clips. So then we drove to the middle of Carmarthen, parked in Wilko's car park and again I walked into Argos. On foot in there I bought a pressure washer, and walked back to the car. Then we came back and had lunch.

Alex said "No need to go to the gym today as I  have walked so far" which is good, better rehabilitating me by being in town than in gym

Then after lunch Alex started hammering in cable grips etc and he is half way through connecting it. I said "Start this side, hammer 'til you are under the bed then go to the other end and start there, then and spare can just be piled up under the bed"

WTF?

So I woke up for a pee about half past six s'morning. I reached over, pressed the switch for my lamp, it didn't come on. Tried a few more times, no it must have blown, ask Timmy when we get up properly. Found my way in the dark as far as my proper light switch, went for a pee. And because this one just worked I knew we hadn't had a power cut etc

So when I got up properly at 8am I decided to just try it one last time before calling TinyTimmy.

It just worked this time,

Fredumpkins

And as I txted Freya earlier to say "Christmas?" she replied "Wanna see me tonight" so me and TinyTimmy took her out for dinner. And it was nice

Early To Bed

So last couple of weeks I have been having my nap later and later but today Denyse and Sian Evans, my social worker, are coming at 2.30pm and I agreed to "sleep" before they come

And they came, they talked about how my care needs are changing, and how to get the authorities to pay for more than they do already.

But they were here for hours

Connector

Then we had to go back to Wilko again and get a piece for the hose, then we could pressure wash all the outside

Shop-i-doodly-eh

Then s'morning me and TeenyWeenyPaul went to Morrisons and to Wilko and picked up the weeks shopping(1) and some other bits to clean the loo etc and some tape to, hopefully, make my TV more watchable

(1) We were able to get a fresh Na'an bread with 9 days date on it instead of the utterly chemical long life ones we have been getting usually

Right

And I poured the top-up milk on my cereal s'morning using my right hand

Rugger

And everything has gone a bit behind schedule today cos I watched Wales win the rugby match against Fiji s'afternoon

So by the time I had cooked dinner we were too late to go to the local theatre show which had been planned

And then in the evening I made an image map on that picture, summat I am not familiar with but now wave your mouse.....

Dispose

So at a guess I'd better start disposing of coffee grounds properly instead of just running them down the sink...

Ed said no need so.... I will look in Morrison's to see if they sell a narrower wooden spoon and go from there

Gym

And we nipped to my once weekly gym class today. And doing one of the exercises again I bent my right knee in such a fashion that I couldn't manage last week

And again today I walked up the stairs to class. Lift down but walked up

And today I managed that "get down on't floor" exercise by myself (again for the first time in...) without Sam saying " Move this..."

Aardvarking

Then we nipped out to Aardvark and did the most of my weeks shopping. Organic or locally produced...

Teeth

And once more I did that "brush every tooth carefully" thingy which I can bear, unlike the full brush which I didn't do

The Doctor

And I have just watched the last Dr Who episodes that were stored, and just....... I HAD to watch the second after the first cut off and..... and..... just
WOW

Strange Exercises At Gym

So we didn't go to gym earlier as TerribleTimmy was busy trying to do the staff rota for the next year, but we did go late in the afternoon. When we were walking in I said "Timmy, why don't I walk upstairs instead of exercising?" He didn't agree but said "5 minutes less on the bike if you walk up and down" So being lazy I said yes and went for a walk

Windy

And it was a bit windy today (noisy link)

TinyT

"Someone" has been busy in't office all morning so we will go to gym later.....

Teeth

And I did the "brush every tooth but not for two minutes" quick brush again s'morning so my dentist should be pleased.

And have less work to do next time I see her......

Quorn Burgers

And we had Quorn Burgers for tea (which I had to cook in a miniscule amount of oil in a frying pan) and they were actually quite tasty but my main point is again I cut the baps (large) with my right hand

Oh What Fun We Had

And we are going f***ing swimming today, in a bit....

Oh what fun... (noisy link)

And what fun we had, various exercises, hopping on just my right foot for the first time in years, getting my right heel down when standing....

"In The Forest"

And I have just watched another few weeks old Dr Who, excellent it was. Lets hear it for that BBC iPlayer thingy.....

Dinner

And for dinner tonight we had veggie burgers etc. The burgers were in buns that I was able to cut with my right hand, well I tried it and it worked very well. I am rather pleased

House

So in a bit we are (me and Alex) are going to go and have first look at a house I have just received an email about. Dunno, it is a touch pricey but may not need many adaptions

Mmmmm, dunno, we have emailed TinyTimmy and asked him to make appointment for viewing

Then after that we went to gym and did 4 exercises before cycling for 20 minutes. It was as much fun as ever

Gym

So after much argument we nipped to the gym, I left my wheelchair @ home and just went out. It is good but feels a bit strange. We had a good session, again in the pulling sideways machine etc

Phew

So there was thunder and lightening when I went to bed last night but the electricity didn't switch itself off

See To My Teeth

And I have got an appointment with the dentist today, just after lunchtime... So I think I may try it on my own two feet again, ISTR that we managed that last time I was there so...

And I thought "No swimming, I can't same day as dentist" etc, GGtGG argued loads but I had so many excuses, so "he" decided to nip to gym for an exercise session s'morning instead......

Grumble Grumble

So after lunch I went and brushed and flossed and I hope she will be pleased with my teeth generally. Afterwards I had 20 minutes on my PC then it's time to go see 'em

And she did tell me again how important it is to brush your teeth in morning, but she did tell me that you don't need to do the whole "brush for 2 minutes" ritual so I might get involved with just cleaning them a bit in t'morning

Walks

At dinnertime tonight Alex picked up and looked at the leaflet that "we" had brought back t'other day. I had to say pass it to me 'cos I hadn't looked yet, but I think it is good and worthwhile. It is publicising walks of about 0.75 miles to 1.5 miles about Carmarthen - "Six Urban Walks" it is called.

And it gives publication to "Walk and Talk - Carmarthen" too which is a bit worthwhile too

More Reasons To Shop At...

So s'afternoon I went and spent loads more in Morrisons (noisy link) than I usually do, not only salad and booze etc this week but Washing Up Liquid and Greaseproof Paper too.....

Apple To Eat

And today I had an apple to eat after lunch and I used my right hand to cut it up

Pumpkin For Dinner

And tonight we ate up the pumpkin which has been ripening on my window sill for ages. It tasted a bit odd, when you set it on your tongue it tastes sweet but almost immediately that goes and leaves a weak flavour. It was at it's nicest roasted at least so it was an experiment

Getting the seeds out was easy but separating it from the skin proved much too difficult for me, Alex had to get stuck in with a knife... but when he was ⅔ of the way through he told me that a peeler wouldn't work but I tried one with that posh peeler that Denyse bought for me and that worked. He said he is gonna have to buy one for himself for next years...

Pe**ng

And today I watched a whole rugger match (80 mins plus half time) without needing a pee. A while ago I would have needed the loo every 15 minutes

Watching Rugger

And we are watching the rugby union match on BBC 1 s'afternoon

Aargh, Wales scored 2.5 minutes into match then they scored bang on half time, 21 all at half time

Double aargh, Wales in the lead, 12 minutes to go

Sh*t, Australia now 7 mins to go

Double shit

New Loo

So I was thinking about when/if I buy this house I will get a plumber to replace the toilet with one a few inches taller and get rid of the frame but paranoia overcame me, I looked on the Interweb and found a possible solution when I replace my loo

And on and on

Gosh, half an hour ago the sun was shining, 25 minutes later it was raining heavily now I can see blue sky partly..... On and on....

Spicy

And we had naan bread pizza and chips for tea, but as I now add garlic to pizzas I make.....

Gym Class

So I had my weekly gym class today, it went well. Sam at one point was saying how she saw me walking into gym yesterday and she could tell that this slight bending of my right knee was happening then too.

Were Off

And me and GGtGG have to go to Aardvark in a bit and do the shopping, this week it includes a walk up the stairs and back down session to get some bog roll etc etc

Yes, we did it and it went well, they had no bog roll but we did buy summat else upstairs so it wasn't a wasted trip up stairs

Still Wet

And it is still raining, forecast for another 24 hours or more

And it is now, at about 2pm, sunny, hardly a cloud in the sky. I wonder how long this will last...

And by half past 2 there was still almost no cloud but there must have been some above us as it was raining

Wet

Much rain tonight, heavy, and it is forecast to last 'til Sunday

Out'n'about

Then later we headed into Wilko to pick up 4 or 5 Listerine mouthwashes, I had a look for summat else but couldn't find it

Bath

And in my bath today the hot water stayed hot 'til the end, like it's supposed to, unlike what happened t'other day. No explanation, nothing needed resetting just a cold(ish) bath

Gymming

So today I/we went to gym, it was a bit busier but we found summat to do. At Sam's suggestion I tried the 'one arm, then the other' exercise machine which went well, different weights on both arms

PDFing

So I was having a think s'morning, this is a universal able to read format, whatever your PC is, eg Apple or Mac etc. So I explored and found immediately a PDF reader on my PC but not a PDF writer. Explored some more and eg Word, can save in .doc format but also can save in .pdf format. So if I am ever sending a document to loads of recipients (as likely as that sounds) I now know how to format it for everybody

Managed

And I figured out (again?) how to do "Hashtag" links to the middle of my page. But middle of someone elses page?

Lifes A Bitch

Life's a bitch...

then you marry one

then you die

I experienced all three......

Struggling On

So sat here having breakfast, thinking "Oh good, struggle on s'morning" but otherwise what?

'Yes, life is hard but you are learning how to make it easier...'

Sara-ing

And that Sara the physio came to see me, watched me walk up and down the kitchen without a walking stick and took me out for a long walk, without my wheelchair, just me walking

AND no FES, no boots (just my sandals), relearning-r-us, big style

Autumn/Winter

So the weather is so wintry today that currently, looking out of my kitchen window, I can't see any clouds. It is 100% blue sky, from one horizon to another

Walkies

So today I was walking about the kitchen without my 'stick and with no holding on. It is really slow but I can do it

Wed

So it's Wednesday Morning now.... (noisy link)

Gymming

And we got it right today, me and GGtGG went to gym at about 12 midday today and it was nearly empty, no one in the way etc. And I am just getting so much stronger, 4 machines then 20 mins on the bike and I comfortably passed 4km, 4.38 I think it said today, no rests until I had passed the 4km mark

Swimming

And we went and had as much fun as usual in't pool but it is just generally getting easier as I get better in so many ways.

And today I went into the poolroom in my wheelchair, steered it to the place 'they' usually push it to after I have got out by the pool, stood up and walked the dozen paces to the pool with no walking stick. And no socking, no footwear and no FES

It was scary, I wouldn't try it again until I am more better but I did it!!!

Rainless

And the sun is shining now. It is a bit colder than recently but 30% blue sky up there!!

Thick and scary clouds now (a few hours later), no rain yet but.....

First few drops as I turned away from my PC 5 minutes later.....

Thunderbolt and lightning

Is happening around here tonight.....

Walkies

And SmallPaul commented on how much better I am at just walking, no "I can't walk that far" etc now, I just got out of the car and did it. We walked into the hall of Morrisons where the recycle batteries tool is, I had got confused I didn't think the bulb recycling was round the back but it was, Paul expressed surprise that I just set off to walk that quarter of a mile and back

Learning Again

My right foot/right leg is relearning so much about how to walk, even I am so impressed

Reassuring

Well as it is now much colder my central heating passed the thermostat point and switched itself on last night. Which I do find comforting, it still works etc

Sun In My Eyes

And sitting here in my kitchen s'morning the sun is getting in my eyes terribly. It's the first of November, there aren't s'posed to be blue skies for a few months

Crisis

And GGtGG told me s'morning that HairCutterEd had txted him late last night and cried off working today but GGtGG said he will do it and swap next Sunday with HCE instead

And he did do my hair, I think it looks OK

Hallowe'en Collectors

And we had some 'trick or treat collectors' here today, we saw them coming so I answered the door with my hallowe'en mask on

Spicy Pizza

And tonight I am going to make pizza like I have every Friday for months but last week I crushed a clove of garlic to add but today the last of that bulb is 3 cloves all of which I shall use, and see it it is even nicer that last weeks

Abbreviation

So should my abbreviation for today's MOS be GGTGG or GGtGG?

Gym

And even after walking up the stairs in Aardvark we had loadsa time b4 gym. But wow etc, even from last week I can see the improvement. Last week I started moving my right knee half an inch forward when my right foot stepped forwards, already it is becoming second nature, if I think about it it doesn't work. Sam also commented on how much clearer my speech is now rather than when I starred the class(9)

And she said I was proof of 'Not Giving Up' what a difference it could make

(9) She said when I started she had to lean forward to listen to me. I said "I thought it was because she was being affectionate"

Aardvarking

So me and GeorgeousGarethTheGrumpyGit went into Aardvark to do the weeks shopping. When we arrived GGTGG said 'Coffee?' but first of all I walked up and down stairs to get some toothpaste. I walked up and down stairs with a left and right style all the way up and all the way back down. So we bought 75% of the weeks shopping in a local style

OMG

Wow. That was the fullest Iechyd Da I have ever seen, loads of folk, we had to sit by the door but we did get a good view

And I did meet the new owner, dunno what she will expect next month but....

Late Gym

And because we were busy today we had a late (5.30pm) going to the gym session. Which was fine but the exercise machines were full of after workers but we did get on a cycling machine and did an extra 5 mins rather than fighting for other machines

Excited

Oh, I am a bit excited. We are gonna have dinner in Iechyd Da, the folk club night in Carmarthen, the place that only had a buyer last week so this won't be the last time I can go.

Well hopefully they will keep doing folk nights anyway...

Fixing It

So s'morning my and Timmy went to B&Q to buy another socket for the kitchen, then Timmy impressed me by taking a screwdriver to the old one and swapping them over. So while he had his electrical head on I showed him the wonky light switch in the kitchen.

Frozen Shopping

Then s'evening we nipped out to Farmfoods to do some more frozen food shopping. Ready to bake spuds(9), Linda McCartney and some ice lollies

(9) Which I would have been so scathing about b4 my accident, "Just buy some spuds and wash then then bake them" I would have said. But this is easier, but not much for someone fully able

'Wimming

And we went swimming at 1 o'clock today, when the free (or busy) morning session has just finished and it was much quieter than s'morning. We did the usual walks, exercises and 4 lengths backstroke. But, as much fun as I am usually having, how much better I am getting at certain aspects of it. Today, for the first time, I was standing on my right foot (or wonky right foot as I think of it) and not holding on to the edge with my hands while I lifted and stretched out my left leg.

And in the changing room afterwards I was able to put the right brake on my shower chair with my right hand, and take it off too. Both on and off with my right hand. I couldn't do that last week....

Pi**ing

And I went to bed about midnight last night, stayed in bed for longer than usual, I didn't need a pee 'til 6.15 s'morning, but when I got up then I was pi**ing for ages and ages, it was a big pee and it kept coming

My bladder is getting stronger/better

Burp

And again I was watching that old BBC programs channel and I came across the first series, so I watched the very first episode, of Bottom, which was very very funny, well worth it

Waiting In

So we had to wait in s'morning for the postman, he was delivering sign for parcel and it was bleedin' 2 PM before he got here, so we didn't have time to go swimming. So we did go to gym and work very hard

But it is all wrapped up now

Locked Up

So I was just reading a paper and it said "prison". I thought "Stuck in somewhere unless a guard accompanies you out".

How is that different from my situation?

OK, I choose where to go out to but still....

2 Stops

So me and Timmy headed out to go to gym and pick up some salad from Morrison's for lunch. We went off without my wheelchair, heading to gym first. On the way I panicked and said "No, to shop first" but on reflection in either option I would have needed to walk into gym and into Morrison's but perhaps there was more potential of a seat to sit on and rest in gym.

Not that I needed one but....

Toe Nail

And after my bath today I was just wearing sandals when I came out of my bedroom, I thought "Well, SmallPaul looked at my sore toe and said there was a piece of nail stuck in kind of half below my toenail, but couldn't do anything about it", today I just stretched, managed too touch the piece and it came out. All 3 or 4 mm of piece that had been stuck there since the Foot Fairy was last here, weeks ago

None Swim

And someone came in today and said "No swimming on Monday, as it's half term they are getting ready to.....", I thought "Hurrah" but then he announced "Tuesday instead..." but I think in the past we couldn't swim during school holidays so wait and see

On My Own Two Feet

And I have just walked from my seat at kitchen table to my seat my 'puter with my walking stick held off the ground in my right hand

Unexpected Shopping

So as we needed to head over to Morrison's to get more anti-spot cream we did almost all of my weeks shopping from there, the only thing left was salad which I can get on Monday now and ∴ it will stay a little fresher next week

But while we were there it was the busiest I have ever seen Morrison's

Spicy Pizza

And we, as usual on a Friday, had na'an bread Pizza for tea tonight. I made it to the same recipe as usual but extra I crushed 1 clove of garlic. Which I couldn't taste by itself but I could taste how it was improving the pizza IYSWIM.

So from now on I will have to crush summat on a Friday

And tonight I used the special one handed garlic press which I had forgotten about, I thought "Umm..." looked in the drawer and found it

Friday Feeling

Oh, it's Friday, first of all do my weeks shopping at Aardvark, come back, put it away, go to gym for a class (not just a training session), then cook pizza and chips for tea

So the first part went well enough, done all my Aardvarking, put it away in really good time today, so now I am sitting waiting.....

And the gym bit was done as well. It went well too. I can't describe it but I am just getting bettercat it. EG there was one exercise moving your feet forward and backwards one at a time, in the past I was just able to mve my left foot while my right leg stayed completely straight but today, for the first time in years I was able to bend my right knee slightly, same as I do on the other side

Fredumpkins

Then we went into school to fetch Freya at half past 4. I txted her and said "In car park outside....", she replied "Oh I am at home ATM".....

We got her eventually.... she hadn't had a lesson today

'Wimming

And we went swimming today, Paul was really imressed with how much better I am getting at almost all aspects.

But I did the worst word play of all time as we were getting showered afterwards

And more to the point, I used, for the first time, my small towel and the medium towel that my parents bought last weekend insread of the big towel, and it was fine, easier, I got dried from top to bottom (phnaar, phnaar) easily

'Net~less

And the interweb wasn't working tonight, we pressed reset on the router and it came back to life

Gymming

And s'afternoon we went to gym but it was too busy to "do" the exercise machines, I did my 20m cycle tho, again with no rest, I am getting fitter

Shopping

Then s'morning we went around Carmarthen, looking for more Xmas pressies but I am stuck, no idea what

Hoo-flipping-ray

And Alex has brought his swimming trunx with him so guess where we are going later

And when we got to the pool it looked empty and there were workman working but on enquiry we found out that they were just working on the nearby half of the pool (the side we usually use) but it was fine to use the other side. So (grumble grumble) we just went swimming as usual

And Alex brought along the stuff that I had said "I will have to put that cream on later" and he put it on at swimming pool

No Swimming

So Timmy announced that we are not going swimming today, just gym, I thought "Hooray" until he said "Wednesday and Thursday instead this week" so grumble grumble

So we went to gym but it was too busy with kids, so I cycled 4.00km in 20 minutes and went home. Then we have rearranged as the physio isn't coming tomorrow, we will swim tomorrow and Thursday and gym other days

But cycling today, I got on, switched it to pause after about 40 secs to take off my fleece then pedalled for the rest of the time, no more rests, I am getting fitter

Bedroom Laptop

My bedroom laptop wouldn't connect to the Interweb last night, I asked Alex s'morning and he said "Wait for TechnoTimmy" so I did, He said "Delete all this bumf, it still wouldn't work, so he got me a password off the hall router and it just works.

I used to work teaching PC's but this modern network stuff, way beyond me, so ta Timmy

Dinner Tonight

And eating out and in with my folks has thrown my weekly menu so we are having my usual Friday dinner (pizza) tonight but with sweet potato chips instead of the usual chip chips as I had chips t'other night and I am supposed to be cutting down

And my usual Saturday tea, which we are having later too, is roast veg and bits but it's Timmy working tomorrow so we will keep that to Tuesday

Weekly Shop

Then after my parents left we had time to go to More Reasons To Shop At... where I bought the few bits I hadn't been able to buy organically with my Aardvark shop on Friday

Emergency Shop

And we went out with my parents to Dunelm and bought some stuff for the kitchen, a case for the scissors and a stand for kitchen roll

Watch It

And last night I decided to try this amazon.co.uk/watchprime thingy that they sent me a letter about last week, there are hundreds of TV programs/films on in so at a guess I watched Dads Army episode 1 the original and it wasn't bad

Dinner

Tonight we are watching my mother cook curry and stuff for all 4 of us

Toast for lunch

As tomorrow I will buy my weeks salad today I had run out so I had toast and jam for lunch, yum yum.

Parenting

So today we have another day with my parents, and tonight my mother is gonna cook some veggie food here for all of us

So we went into town after they had a brew here, we explored Wilko's and bought some dental care stuff then we went to Sports Direct and my mummy bought me a new pair of velcro moses sandal's, slippers

They have gone off now to have some lunch etc then they are gonna come back after my nap and mother is gonna cook dinner for us all

Posh

And we did all that, it was quite nice and Freya took most of my parents attention. And Ian said goodbye after meal, he is going to Bath in'morning.

We went to the Tafarn Tanerdy and had a delicious dinner, and I didn't have chips tonight, healthy option

Back

Then we came back here without my parents, they are gonna buy some lunch and rest, while I have lunch, a bath, a nap then we will get together again, go and get Freya and have dinner

Out

And we are going out tonight to dinner with Freya and the team. First of all we are all going shopping in Aardvark, all going to gym etc......

First of all we went to Aardvark and did an enormous shop, we all came back home and are having a brew after I put the shopping away

Then we all went to gym, where my parents, who haven't seen me for a couple of months, and Ian, who hasn't seen me for more than a year, where full of praise for how much better I am than last time they saw me

Touch Screen

And it occurs to me tonight, touch screen, like I am doing now to type this on my iPad, much too modern for me to have ever done it before my accident

Sat

And this evening it was discussed and decided, we are going out to dinner tomorrow and then on Saturday night my mum is gonna cook for all of us here!!!

On Their Way

And I have just spoken to my parents, they are on their way to the airport in Belfast, flight in a couple of hours....

And they have landed in Cardiff.....

And them and Ian drove over and had a brew here. I persuaded them that I really couldn't be bothered cooking but as I promised not to have any ice cream for pudding that I needed to go to their hotel for dinner. So me and TinyTimmy (or TechnoTimmy) went out and had a very nice meal in good company

Gonna Cost Him

And after a discussion with Timmy I now know that Alex is gonna be liable for the excess on my car, so the insurance company will pay all but £75 which he is contractually obliged to let them take it out of his wages. I feel a bit bad about this but it will teach him, look everywhere, don't rely on beepy beeper devices to warn you

TimmyFood

And we had to nip to Morrison's s'evening and buy some Quorn-style Timmy Food as he is in tomorrow and we had none...

Further Fun

So I got out my swimming trunx and clothes and towels etc and set them on the bag in the hall. Then Alex said "Wanna not go swimming today ['YES'], wanna go take a walk around Carmarthen?"

So luckily I hadn't taken my sockings off yet.....

So we headed into town, parked in Wilko car park and headed into see what was in shop. We left my wheelchair in the boot. But after much up and downing in the shop (some of which was just to make me walk further I think) we found window cleaner and weed killer. Then we went into the café and had a brew in the proper seat

Such Fun

And we went to gym at lunchtime and did loads of exercises, new 4 machines b4 cycling routine

Gas Fixers

And s'morning some chaps came along and started drilling (noisy link) outside and they are "fixing" the gas, apparently. They posted a letter thru the door t'other day with instructions of how to turn it on again etc

Feed Me

So I was about to cook tonight when the pumpkin on the window sill caught my eye, I thought "Is it ready to cook" but then I thought "For me and Timmy, nah, leave it".

Then I thought "Right, this and this, with cooked veg?" Then I thought "Ah, Timmy" again

Qwerty phones

So I said to Timmy about when I can upgrade my phone and how according to the interweb there are more phones with qwerty keyboards, he said "Ah  yes, my phone (also a Blackberry) doesn't have the keyboard.... have a go" and let me try his keyboard on a screen device. And I found it pretty usable

(sigh)

So we went swimming today, and had even more fun then usual. Timmy said he could tell my heart wasn't in it, but dunno

Small Shop

Then s'morning we nipped out to More Reason's and did my usual small shop.

But then after lunch we are heading to B&Q to get some filler to fill in the hole where we had to move the greenhouse box thingy outside

Walkies

And s'morning walking out of my bedroom I can't help notice how much better the FES has made my right foot behave, it was almost entirely keeping itself straight instead of turning over

Pumpkins or Turnips

Ah, see it did happen, none of "my staff" believed me

Roast Turnip

And for dinner tonight we had (amongst other veg) roast turnip and it was actually rather lovely. You can tell the difference in Aardvark, as autumn season comes along various nice local veg appear

Cwmoernantfarm

S'morning I got an email saying "Yes, we are accessible" from the farm that has a folk clib on the last Wednesday of the month, so me and FixerPaul headed over to have a look, eventually found it and yes it is. The woman who runs it was on Chemotherapy for her cancer for 10 years, but now she feels that every day is a treat.

And she is a recycling weirdo like me

Guttering

And UsefulPaul got stuck into the guttering above the living room window which was overflowing, and took loads and loads of grey/black stuff outa there and now it works, water coming out of the pipe down the drain. When it stops raining he is gonna get stuck into the other side of the hiouse

Radical Morning

And I have been up for nearly 2 hours today and haven't been for a poo (noisy link) yet

Well it is nearly lunchtime and I have just had one and all is well with the workd

Rain

And the weather forecast said "Rain showers" today, we turned up at Aardvark and it was just starting to rain as I walked in, while I shopped I could hear really heavy rain which had finished by the time I finished shopping and stepped outside into a not raining world

Jabbed

So first thing s'morning I went to the Doctors and had my 3 month jab, the first I have had. And it didn't hurt etc, it was fine. The actual chemical they injected was different, it wasn't just 3 times bigger like I was thinking in my paranoid thoughts

Immediately afterwards we had to head to Aardvark where as usual I bought about two thirds of my weeks shopping, but blueberries are out of season now. We came back here and put it all away

Immediately it was time to go to gym where we were perfectly on time so the arrangements worked out well.

After all that we came back here and ate lunch. So my busy friday morning is over

Jabbing

And I am going for my Testosterone injection which today is gonna be the first time I have tried the 3 month one, bigger jab but hopefully it won't cause too much "wounding".

Then I have to go to Aardvark for my weeks shopping.

Then I have to go to gym and explain to Sam that I prefer brunettes so I prefer her like this

Walking

And today walking about with no FES on my right foot is still keeping flat with less of an effort from me. I used to have to concentrate to the loss of any other mental stuff but it seems easier now

And I walked into the pub tonight, no chair involved. No FES, but I could still do it

Out

And we are going Farm Foods shopping in a bit then we are gonna go off to the pub up the street as after I have my injections tomorrow I won't be able to drink for a couple of days hence going out tonight

Strange Appointment

And I got a letter today asking my to come to Llanelli hospital for a study in Sleep Apnoeo. Dunno

'Wimming

And we went swimming today as everything is on the wrong day this week. But we did it, what fun

Off

And the interweb needed resetting s'morning as there had been so much lightning last night. I think we had a long and glorious summer but autumn is now here

Out

On the way back Alex suggested heading out to Llanelli to a weekly Folk Club and as I have been before but he hasn't we are gonna go out and have fun tonight

But because we had a late lunch today Alex phoned pub and asked them if they serve food during the club or do we need to come earlier for that. "Food, in a pub, there's beer in this pub" she replied

And we had an excellent night, a number of people said "Wow, hello, you haven't been here since you moved into your house" just generally it was excellent. And quieter than usual, apparently

Gym

Then because we are doing everything on odd days this week I went gymming. And I remembered how I am now supposed to do 4 exercises before the bike and went and told him

Waiting

And I am sitting waiting for the plumber to come now...

And they did come, 2 of them and fixed it all. He said he will have to come back on Friday and fit some small gubbins but I probably won't be here then

Brewing

Then me and Gareth headed into Carmarthen for a brew. On the way back we got into the car and then the heavens opened big style. It rained most of the way home and stopped when we were about half a mile from home

And when we were sitting at kitchen table to have dinner a couple of hours later there was Thunder and Lightning happening outside

And about 20 to 10 tonight suddenly the rain started, really heavy. About 4 minutes later it stopped 

Boiler

But when we arrived back from swimming I noticed that the boiler overflow pipe was leaking. Looking at it it seems that water pressure is much too high. But in the manual it only mentions what to do when pressure is too low

So he came, unscrewed underneath and fiddled about. The overflow has stopped overflowing but he booked for a plumber to come and check it out tomorrow

Hoo-fscking-ray

And I said to Gareth s'morning "What's on today, just gym on my timetable...." and he sneakily announced that he has brought in his 'wimming trunx so we can go swimming today as I missed it yesterday

Oh what fun we had, but we did it and exercises etc

Snatched

Gosh, reading this story in The Gruniad made me wanna shout "Thatcher, Thatcher, milk snatcher" even tho it's not her fault, but I think they are carrying out her policies

The Doctor

Argh, I have just iPlayed the latest Doctor Who and......... I am a big fan

Fix It

And it was so stormy last night that the cover on my blueberry plant blew off and had to be reattached in a slightly different position and fixed to the heavy other veg grower

Deep Joy

And it sez on my diary "Swimming" at lunchtime. Oh what fun we had.....

Oh NO, Alex has come into work without his trunx so just Gym, not swim today...... Bitter tears.....

Well we went to gym over lunchtime today.  And as Alex announced "New program" I did more exercise today than I have done in the past. I am getting fitter

Colder

So today the heating thermostat has switched the heating on all day. I can't remember the last time it was on during daylight, so obviously it is much colder today

More Reasons To Shop At....

So after I changed my bed (and put it on to wash) and had breakfast we nipped to Morrison's and did my weeks shopping (well, the bits that I can't get organically in Aardvark)

Wow, better

And having my shirt off for my bath today I can really tell, all the red spots on my chest look a lot calmer, so that TCP substitute that the chemist recommended yesterday has made a difference already

Flutterbys

And I have noticed 2 butterflies in my front garden today. 2. And I just noticed when passing etc

Injection

And I am off to the Doctors in a bit for my anti-flu jab

And it was relatively painless and in the couple of hours since no swelling has come up etc so at a guess it has proved not too unpleasant

So then afterwards we headed into Wilko's and got more toothbrush heads and a new cafetiere. But since then Alex has got stuck into cleaning the bits off my old one too

Double then we went to the café there and had a brew and a bun

Friday Night Club

And in a bit we are going off to Friday Night Club at t'pub up the road

And there was no-one there. First of all there was 2 folk who know I needed/wanted tall seats by the bar, and moved, but they finished their drinks and went home

New TCP

Then today after my bath I had to ask Gareth to wipe the spots on my back with cleansing rubs that we bought yesterday (I had already done my front) then instead of TCP he had to rub back and front with new cream as recommended by the chemist last night.

Dunno if it will work, we explained the situation to the chemist last night so wait and see

Gym

So we went to a gym session with Sam at lunchtime, it went well, I am getting so much better

He's Back

And that Paul chap came in here today, he has been off for a fortnight while he, his missus and kid got over a dose of ringworm that they got from gord nose where

Team Meeting

And Denyse, one of today's visitors, has just thrown me out of the kitchen so her and the rest of my team (apart from Ed, he is working somewhere else today) can get on with having the team meeting about me and my care.

When that is over Denyse will come and have a monthly meeting with me and then rush off as she has a meeting with another client later

'Wimming

So we went swimming s'morning, I have such fun there but it is doing me good so I shouldn't complain too loudly

Unaided

And today I went to Farm Foods and picked up some spuds today. I even carried the basket and walked

Off In A Bit

And in a while we are heading off and meeting Sara in the foyer of the gym and then she is gonna be........ to me while I exercise

And she was 13 minutes late!!! So she looked at me exercising on machines, got me actually on and using one which has been on my key for ages but I couldn't work it, got me on another which I had to get Sam to add to my key, just an exhausting session

And she made another appointment there after she comes back from holiday

Socking-less

So last night I had no Sockings on....

'Wimming

So we took ourselves off to the pool s'morning and did my swimming and exercises stuff

Crisis Averted

So we went shopping to Morrison's s'morning and on the way there I explained how dissatisfied I had been with the incompetent person on Customer Service in Tesco's t'other night who had said "No" to me saying "Sweet potato oven chips, please?" So we went back and had another look and in a different place there they were.

So guess what's for dinner tonight?

And while we were in't shop today Alex said "Ah, sweet potato oven chips are here" to attract my attention and a stranger was walking past and said "Sweet potato oven chips? Ooh, I'll try some of those"

Lie In

And I went to bed last night, eventually shut my eyes, and didn't wake until half past nine s'morning

Cooking

So when I was cooking I looked at my watch, it said 18:49 which for some reason made me think of this (noisy link)

Right Handedness

And I ate my yoghurt with my right hand again this lunchtime.

I am having to relearn muscle memory...

Right Wrist

And eating tonight's dinner I was able, for the second time, took hold my knife properly and use it properly. For the first time in 11 years I did it yesterday, today was even better, more difficult to cut dinner and I manged it all

Lets hear it for BoTox