Friday Dinner

And we had the by now usual Friday Night Dinner of na'an bread pizza and chips for dinner and it was as lovely as a lovely thing

More Delivery

Then later another van pulled up and somebody got out to deliver summat else to me

5 Quid

And I went to the bank today and took out some cash, amongst which was one of these new fivers. Dunno what to say or think, it is different

Gymwarda

Then on the way back from t'dump me and MM headed into gym as Sam is off taking her daughter to uni there is no proper class today. So I did 4 exercises then got on the rowing machine for 10 mins. MM was able to advise me specifically about moving back with my legs first which none of my other staff new but as he is a p/t trainer he knows

To The Dump

Them me and MM had to head dumpwards to leave in my old washing machine and the wrapping off the new one. They are so organised at t'dump, everything goes in it's place then taken apart for recycling as much as possible. Landfill, ha, that's an old concept

Da da da da......

......Iechyd dachy Da na nah.

And yes, I had a good night at Iechyd Da last night. But the excitement seems to have been stolen by the washer/dryer delivery s'morning.

Calm down Neil, just calm down

Start Abruptly

Well. That was a start to the day!!!!! Just finished my brekky when the deliverers arrived with the new washer/dryer. It kind of sat here staring at me 'til Timmy got stuck in. Tilting in on one side to remove the under cover, undoing the "moving it" bolts, fitted it all in, attached the water pipe, and put it on to a trial. It works and switched off after the wash, before drying, so I can take my sockings out and stick them near a radiator to dry.

And in my excitement I deleted all the photos that I took at Iechyd Da last night and the ones of the fitting of my new machine

 And it worked, all my clothes washed s'morning and are dried to wear tonight after I finish napping

Further

Then later on Timmy, first of all found if I had a spare pair of sockings then when that was a yes he took the washing machine apart as hopefully the new one is delivered tomorrow when I can wash and dry my clothes then

To Start The Day

So first thing me and Timmy headed off shopping. To MoreReasonsToShopAt first of all where mostly bought before goods but some extras, then to Iechyd Da to pick up my organic and they said "Back here tonight?" to which the answer was a *"YES"*

Then after lunch as the postman brought me a cheque from Mimmy we had to head into town to Lloyds where we put it in. Very odd and modern, the machine that we put it into gave me a receipt containing a picture of the cheque

My Head Exploded

Aargh

Aqua Aerobics

Hooray, off in a bit....

And we did it. It was as much fun as usual

Poohing

So yesterday I had to go to the loo 3 times before my pooh came out. (As Timmy said "You are more full of shit than usual"). But today I managed first time, back to normal.

Phew

Gym Crisis

Then we popped to gym, got on an exercise bike having takes off my FES bits, did 5 minutes cycling when the fire alarm went off. So I had to leave without fitting my FES back on etc. Of how pleased the swimmers in the pool must have been.....

That's Why Town Is Dead

So s'morning me and Timmy headed off looking for a new washer/dryer. We went to 3 or 4 shops, some of which could assist but in the end gave up, came back and bought one online. "They" are going to txt me between 7.30 and 8 on Friday and tell me when it is being delivered that day

That's why town is dead, just look online and you have 16 choices etc....

UberLefty

So after lefties taking power I heard someone, not the Labour Leader, say summat about how they are now moving the party in a socialist direction........ Blinkin' flip, here's hoping he's right etc

"You no longer have to whisper it's name - it's socialism"

Miscon...summat

Surely not, weren't barns where you stored tractors and/or manure etc? Not any more, they are expensive holiday homes with wifi etc

This last link was written on the back of a bus that we were stuck behind today

Headway

So s'morning we drove thru much rain to the Headway meeting in Swansea. It was a bit mind boggling as ever being with such a variety of folk. The main chap that we spoke to was punched in the chin by a rugger fan, fell down and hit his head on the edge of the pavement. Oops. Part of his brain leaked out, he was in a coma for some months, couldn't walk when he came about (Similar?), couldn't speak, had to teach himself again (YES, similar) but I think my speech is clearer than his now....... Just mind boggling to be with such a various of sufferers

She-et

Oops. Washing machine crisis. And as I can't make it to the back garden to washing line........

Not that I would be able to go out anyway

Out

So first of all we popped out and bought more coffee for the staff and more cleaning utensils. Still on the same trip we went to another shop and looked for more veg trolleys with sides etc, but they had none in this shop either.

But actually after much, many days, of looking on the interweb I tried summat odd like "food trolley shaded" instead of "food trolley" which I have been looking for, and it came up with a selection so I bought one. I hope it as effective and cleanable as.....

Found It

So I was looking at my new jeans, and actually walking on the last bit at the back and I thought "Just turn them up 2cm or so" but thread? Then I thought "There was some somewhere?" and in the second place I looked I found some, a pack.

As I proved to be rubbish at sewing MM turned them up for me

Eat...

.... out (That's a link - click it)

DaGruniad

Washing Crisis

Well I did a loads of washing last night and took the sheets off my bed s'morning to wash. But the wash from last night still wasn't dry, having been on twice. I took it out and washed the sheets, after wash and dry they were still soaking. So MM and me had to head to launderette on Lammas St and pay for it to be dried. Timmy is back on Tuesday, we can confer

Lefty

And he has won the Labour Party election. Let's see what a lefty can do......

In't Morning

So I am changing my bed tomorrow without putting up a notice saying "Change bed" like I have done for over a year. I will see if spotting the spare holder thingy will remind me

AND it did, I recalled!!!!

Gym Class

Then today I had another crowded gym class in the squash court. It went OK and I spoke to Sam half way thru and said I thought I would look in at the next class up but not for another month, when we are back in the proper gym room

Rid Of More

So then first thing we took more trousers to another charity shop. This time they reacted to me saying "Lost 4.5 stone" they said "Are u keeping it up? Will we see you again in another month"

Sentral Hotness

And when I got up yesterday and today the radiators were hot.

Obviously it is now cold enough, but it works!!!!

Red Dwarf

And tonight I am watching the first of a new series of Red Dwarf. Same cast, same sense of humour as before.

Very happy chappy

More Jeans

Today I tried on another pair of my "spare" trousers but they have a zip at the bottom, heading up the side, and this makes it impossible to roll them up if they are too long. So I have got another 3 pairs of trews to take to a charity shop mañana.

Tonight we might try that Tesco's place for more jeans

Well we done it. Last time we were shopping for trews we were in a fat person's shop in Cardiff whereas tonight I popped to Tesco's, couldn't try owt on as they close the changing room at night but we hummed and hawed, thought "If they don't fit bring them back tomorrow" bought 2 pairs and when I got home and tried them on they do fit. They feel miles smaller than the big trews I have been wearing for some time but they do fit me

THEN....

After we came back and did loadsa "putting away" of shopping we hearer over to the gym. I was s'posed to do 20 mins cycling then 10 mins on a rowing machine but the cycle machine was playing up. We had done 15 mins when it gave up the ghost again and in disgust I thought "extra rowing time" and did 15 mins on there too

Initially the cycle machine was kind of shaking it's head in astonishment at how fast I can cycle now

Hectic Shop

So first thing today we wobbled over to Morrisons to get *all" my shopping for the week as the organic lady couldn't make it this week. I got most of it organically, no orgy muesli tho.

Better @ Walking

And when I was nipping to the loo s'morning I noticed that my right foot *now* travels forward of my left foot before it touches down. I *used*to* leav uneven footprints but it seems that they are a lot more even now

Aqua Fitness/Aerobics

Sigh.

So we are off to my extra fitness class in pool today

And it went well. I am so much more capable of doing exercises than I was even a few weeks ago. Even "she" praised me for how much better I am

Charity Shop 'Em

So me and GGtGG had a sort thru my wardrobe today and on the first quick pass we found 4 pairs of nearly unworn jeans which are a lot too big, fat bu*ger sized, whereas I am now just a bit overweight now, so off to the charity shop before swimming today

And we did it. Despite wearing no FES on my foot I walked from the car to the shop, in, up to counter and back

Trousers

So today I had my bath and thought I would try one of the pairs of trousers that are hanging up in the wardrobe. I tried a pair and they were designed for some fat git, not someone as slim as I am now. I looked again and found another pair, much smaller but still too big for me, but luckily they have a string you can tie too so I am wearing them now.

They threw me a bit next time I went to the loo. For years I have been wearing those black stretchy ones that I need to pull down at the front to have a pee, but these trousers aren't stretchable. Panic, panic, panic then it occurred to me, open the fly

Ooh

 Well just a bit wow. So today we headed miles east along the A48 corridor but not along the A48 as that's closed but in the end we made it to Sara Physios. Apparently I was very impressive but I was having such fun. By the time we got back it was nearly dinner time but I had to bath/nap first

But coming back we were able to A48 as far as normal, it's closed heading East but not on the other side of the road, that's open

Wimming

So we headed to the pool at lunchtime today and I did what was required, 6 lengths and various exercises before he felt sorry for my crying and took me home

Jubly

And it was lovely seeing then tonight. As time is so wonky we won't see them in the morning but it was worth is seeing them tonight

Oooh Morning

So we got up s'morning, hung about 'til David and Nora turned up, discussed where to then headed off to the National Botanic Gardens. I paid but they accepted my fee and 3 free accompaniers so wasn't 3 bad. Anyway we walked in and walked the whole way up the hill. I was nearly crying as there were no seats to rest on but I did it. Then we walked across the way to one food place and they said "Sorry, almost nowt as the freezer broke last night" so after a discussion we had to walk across the 500 yds to the other food place where we got food. By the time we were finished it was nearly time to go so D&N walked down to get a lft while I went to the loo. By the time I was finished they were nearly back up with the big cart to take us all back down and we walked out and back to the car. They took their car off and we came home for bath&nap then we will meet them later

I did very well, walking for fscking miles but I was too preoccupied with looking where to put my next foot to actually admire plants from all over the world. AND Nora said how much thinner I am than when she last saw me some months ago

Brrrrr

It is much colder today. Much

Popped Out

And we popped out s'afternoon and followed Julia's directions to the house she used to live in while I was at Happy Valley living in the woods. It got a bit emotional, I recognised the way there etc once we were right off the beaten track, it was in the middle of nowhere

Ready And....

So I am waiting patiently ATM. My big brother and his missus are coming into town just tonight 'til Monday first thing, they couldn't get an earlier flight, so we are driving over to meet them at their hotel in Llanelli tonight

Heading off in a bit...

And we did it. Well that was nice, a nice night was spent. We have come home now and they are going to come here in't morning, gord nose what we shall do.
It was a bit scary walking down the stairs out, Timmy dropped me at hotel then took the car away when we arrived but there was no way to bring the car in as we were leaving, I had to head for the stairs, but it was much easier walking down the stairs than it was walking on the uneven surface before that. Walking in the dark made it harder too but left/right/left/right down the stairs

But looking at the picture, by gord that's a long flight of stairs. No problem it was

Return

And I had to return to Amazon the fleece I got yesterday, it was too small. So luckily GGtGG is much better at rewrapping stuff than I am and we stuck on an address label etc and headed into the filling station near the scary home where I used to live to the new(ish) model of the post office where I posted it away

Willy

Kiss Neil's......

Or is it Kick Neil's Penis.....?

Sam's Class

Well we are off to my weekly gym class in a bit....

Well it went as well as can be..... I spoke to (The Lovely) Sam about me moving up to the next class, she was really positive so I asked permission to hang about and watch. It did seem good, unlike previous classes there were a range of abilities, with some able to do one exercise better but not the others etc but I do think that it is probably worth me having a go. I probably won't do owt until it is back in the proper (bigger!!) room to exercise but apparently that will be in a couple or 3 weeks. At a guess I will try it once or twice and if I feel OK move up and if I feel negative then back to my curent class

Credit

S'morning "someone" was looking at all my photos etc. He looked at the picture of the Xmas lights switch on and said "Lordy, you were a lot fatter then"

Wrenworthy

So s'morning Wren, a Welsh chap, is in having a conference with Timmy about my care

Out In A Bit

Well, so me and Timmy have to head off first thing for a trip out and lunch on the Gwili Steam Railway which isn't too far away, 3 miles from Carmarthen apparently

Wow. What a day. That was strange/memorable just odd in so many ways

AquaFitness

So went along to the first aquafitness session for a few weeks. Yes it was hard work but I did it, making myself healthier

So Fair Is She

So fair is she!
So fair her face
So fair her pulsing figure

Not so fair
The manical stare
Of a husband whose so much bigger



Spike Milligan

No Gym Manyana

And while we were at gym yesterday we noticed a sign which said "Gym closed Thursday for work" so I thought "Hoorah" but then on reflection I won't be near gym then, we are going on Gwili Steam Railway for a trip with Headway

Excited

And we are off out later. As arranged by Julia we are off to Wetherspoons in Carmarthen for dinner. Me, RoyGBiv, Julia, her new chap Adam, her 2 smalluns and the point of the night Freya. Who is off to university tomorrow/Thursday

Well wasn't that nice. I had to say to Adam at one point how positive he is being with Silas and Ivy, the little uns, I suspect that she has fallen on her feet. And she did express a wish to meet up all of us again for another night out as this one was so successful 

And as we were leaving my little girls little half-sister gave me a hug which I do appreciate

Gym Morning

So we headed out s'morning, popped to the post box and a bank, then headed to gym, around the back, upstairs etc until I got on a bike. Now it sez on my diary that I am s'posed to do 10km but today I got stuck in. In the past I have managed 10km in 40 minutes, today I did 5km in just 17 minutes, well quicker. But I was too knackered to do 2nd 5km but I am still slightly panting

Strange Conversation #2

And when we were on the way back today my phone started going "txt" and I had a "conversation" with Julia and she said "We are all going out for a tara to Freya on Tuesday" so we are meeting Julia, her chap, her 2 littluns and Freya for a meal on Tuesday

And on my phone I was entering details of going out, it said "Where?" so I input 'Wheatherspoons' (including the spelling error) then next time I looked there was a link to 'Map' which I clicked and was presented with a map from my house to where we are eating!!!

Strange Conversations

And I am having many odd conversations with MM today..... in his other life he is a disabled swimming instructor and many of his ex students are winning medals at the Paralympics!!!!!

Off Out Today

So today me and MM head over to a Headway Swansea meeting (boo hiss) but to make me be a bit more positive about it it is better than swimming, which we are missing because I can't do both (hooray). It is strange, I suppose it is doing me some good but it doesn't feel like a "fun" afternoon out. Yet, possibly

Well we did it. I didn't win the most games but I also didn't lose the most. And I spoke to "them" about going out for a steam train ride followed by lunch on tuesday which I was really nervous about having to walk onto train when I booked it, when I was still in my wheelchair!!!

Party

And we are going over to a party later

Wow. What a day. There were some good points and some bad points from my POV but I succeeded. First of all we had to park a few hundred m away and just walk across grass/mud etc to get to site. Once we were it we were wishing we had a folding chair with us but...... Actually over dinner time we wished we had a table and chairs with us but...... In most of the stage areas there were a few chairs so we made a bee line.... The "biggest" hassle was that there were no walk ways, just up and down hill through mud but I managed. We saw a few bands, told a 5 year old juggler how impressed I was with her ability.... had a take away pizza for dinner which GBiv had to carry for miles until we found more seats...... at about 9pm I said "Enough" so we headed out walking through more mud and pot holes in the dark until eventually we made it back to the car. Which in itself made me want to cheer, I had walked over all kinds of uneven mud etc and didn't fall over once. I so wouldn't have been able to cope with underfoot surfaces like that even a few months ago but now my legwork is so much stronger/more stable that I didn't have a nearly falling over incident at all. As we were leaving we stopped and chatted to a MOS. He looked at me and said "You were in a wheelchair last year? Well done for walking" which was nice

And I was rather impressed with GBiv's driving skills, he got us out without requiring a tow from a tractor

2 Feet

So for a few days I have been practicing standing up from the table without holding on with my hands. Now I have got the skill of being able to stand up and then move round, get my feet out properly, without holding on at all, just standing and moving

Gymming

And I had a proper class at gym today. During it I asked her if I should move up 1 class, stayed afterwards to watch them start the class and I think "Yes", I shall try it but possible not for a few weeks so they can be in the proper gym room again, not the squash court that I watched them in today

Fark. Sentimental

So today someone posted a link to the new paralympic advert that's being shown during the tournament.

Sheet, sheet, sheet, bit sentimental I feel after watching. Tears in my eyes. (noisy link)

Meter Crisis

So last night I went to use my "peak flow meter" to measure my breath. Last night the first reading came out as "None, not moved". So I wriggled it a bit and tried again. Same. Repeat process. So I thought I'd better phone the Dr s'morning and get another 'script.

S'morning I tried again and it just worked. Gord nose

Weather again

So after the windy incident last night it stopped blowing all together at 9 or 10 o'clock, but s'morning it is well windy again, I can hear it blowing outside

By 11 it is noisier, even windier

Weather

So it rained heavily for about half an hour s'morning when I was having breakfast, since then the sun has been out. I thought "Therapy, I'd better go for a walk aroung town with GBiv. Except it has been raining and windy for the past hour now.

Different weather, changes so quickly

Final Cut

So the chap came round and cut the outside of my hedge today. Again it looks much better. BUT when the neighbour came round for the cash he said that is the last time he will do it. He has had so much hassle this time.

OK, but I am not friends with any farmers who might have the cutting gear so..... dunno....

Busy In The Morning

So as usual on Thursday we will be busy first think, go to Caffi Iechyd Da to pick up my organic delivery, shopping in Morrisons, gymming until I cry then lunch then f. all for the nooneraft

Well that went OK. Shopping and putting it away was OK, some chat from RGBiv as he has never shopped with me before so he didn't know some stuff but it was all done, brought back and put away. Incidentally we lucked on having the disabled parking space closest to Iechyd Da on King St

Gym was..... at gym. So we had to go back and try to find our way in around the back but we found it. Did 1 exercise, 5km cycle then another exercise as we were doing a half and half day. The cycling I just went faster than usual as I didn't need to keep reserves for stamina, I did 5 km in 18m45s. It used to take me 45 minutes to go twice as far

It Is SO Back

So today I have the first Aqua-flipping-Aerobics class since before the summer holidays

Hoo-flipping-Ray

But it is an hour later now so I had to have an early lunch so it can be slightly digested before swimming exercise

Well I did it. It wasn't as scary as I had worried, just generally my fitness is getting better so...

Weather

Still just wearing t-shirt, no jumper

OOT

And I needed some cash from the cash ATM tonight so we headed into town and got some. Then I tried to set off for a walk around town but I gave up soon and headed home. I was fscking exhausted by my work with Sara, I kind of didn't realise how much harder than usual I was working there but there you go

Sara-ing

Then we spent the afternoon at Sara's establishment in Swansea where again I even impressed myself with how much striding (uphill and downhill today) I was able to do

And I was secretly rather impressed with GBivs sense of direction. He had never been "there", he is originally from fscking England but he still recalled exactly where it was

They Listened

And while we were out some delivery came. We had said "If I am out leave it in the greenhouse" which they did which is much better than taking it away and leaving it somewhere

Sigh - it's back

Well we fscking went to the leisure center/gym for the first swim I have had since the kids got off school for the summer holidays 2 months ago. It actually wasn't as bad/scary as I thought it might be. It did wear me out quicker than it did last time but if I am out of practice.......

I was relatively pleased with how it was still possible to swim lengths etc

Busy AM

So first thing (half an hour after MM arrived) Luscious Linda The Toe Chopper came... and chopped my toe nails.

After she creamed me up etc we headed into town to the Drs. Picked up a big 'script then headed next door to the chemist and waited while they put together the 4 items (some of which were multiple) for my 'script. Came home, no first of all I turned back to the chemist and gave her my blue inhaler and said "OOD now, the doc has just given me another, can you throw this away", then came home and put it all away.

Then after half an hour resting we are going back to the swimming pool, that I haven't been to since the school holidays started but as they are finished now I'd better go back

Family Visit

Then tonight Davy phoned and basically him&Nors are coming over from Belfast weekend after next

Fredumpkins

And unexpectedly Freya is gonna come over for tea and a chat tonight. She is off to that England to go to Uni in 10 days. Can't cope, she was my littlest baby back then...

So we went to the pub up the street and actually mine was lovely, very delicous. I think Freya was making similar noises so just "yum yum" for the night

She said she is working next weekend but hopefully on the Mon or Tue we will be able to catch up before she goes

Rainy Sunday^H^H^H^H^Haturday

It has been since before I got up s'morning.

And it finally stopped raining after 9 o'clock tonight

Out

Then l8r we walked thru Carmarthen, up past Iechyd Da, along King St, back on the other side, down past the old court(?)  building and back to the car opposite Aardvark.

We also popped into Morrisons on the way home and bought some petty cash cleaning products and got more change for the parking meters for the car

While on King St I thought that I should carry on until we reach a lowered kerb crossing point. Then I thought "No Neil, you are better than that now" and stepped down off a normal kerb and back up on the other side

She's Back

So we have Sam teaching us in gym again today. She has had a flipping holiday for a couple of weeks, how dare she?

If I can find the class, still not in gym room, they are still redoing the centre 

Well, found it first time. But next week it will be somewhere different again. But she was there and I did what she told me to do for an hour then came home. She did comment at one point how "iller" I was when I started the first class. This one now is the 3rd option of "getting better" classes that I have been going to. She did comment on how most folk find a class and stick to it. But I am improving

Cleanup #2

Dunno. It was nearly as quick as can be tonight. Nearly. Compared with the day before, less silence

Neighbour(s)

Then today when I was going out to car one of my neighbours was walking down the street. "How are you?" she said. "As I usually say 'As well as can be expected'" I said, "Well u are so much better now, aren't you" she replied.

Smug, smug, smug. Feeling good

Busy Morning

So we headed to Iechyd Da first, picked a box of organic food then headed to Morrisons and picked up the rest of my shopping. Including org milk etc.

After we came back and put it away we headed down to gym and got on the bike again. I went flat out, last week in my 20 minutes I was about 70m short of doing 2½ KM but this week I went even more flat out and finished with about a minute to spare. I was too knackered to do any other exercises so Timmy was a bit dis-chuffed