Pictures

And the "Neil's Pictures" folder on my PC was getting a bit large so I got them together and put them on 3 CD's. No index or sorted out but there is a rough date

Hoist Service

And the gentleman came to service my bedroom hoist this morning. I said "But U have lived here for 18 months and I have never had to use that" but he had to check and test it

Unnapped

And because I was distracted today I didn't have a nap. And now, at 7 o'clock, I can really feel the difference. I am falling asleep now

Jackery

And as I was bored today I went to the kitchen and made some more flapjacks. They are very nice but I am a bit stuck on one issue. Some of them are too crumbly, but how can I tell that from mixing the mixture?

Aargh

And Paul has just phoned me, he has broken down on his way here. Should I scream or shout or.....

(sigh)
Haven't heard from him for a couple of hours but he has phoned the gym and told 'em no can do today

FC

And this evening I was at the folk club which we only goto once a month or so

Hippy

So this morning I am waiting for a parcel being delivered by HDNL.

It stands for Hippy Dickhead, Neil Layabout

No delivery yet, hope tomorrow

Ybot

And Toby came round tonight. I felt a bit..... sheepish because I felt the need to say boring parent stuff but I hope for the best.

And I told him to come here on the 5th November when I will be away in order to have 2 women talk to him about me and my issues

Right Shoe

And it feels nearly as tight as the left today.... so obviously summat is improving

Napper

And I lay down after lunch again for ¾ of an hour

Tied Right Shoe

So I was sitting outside s'morning when a MOS walked past. I said "Can you tighten my right shoelaces for me?", she said "I'll be back in 2 minutes" so I waited. I was thinking about my right shoe I nearly thought "It's tight enough today" but in the end decided to wait for her. When she came back and was re-tying my shoelace she commented to me that it was much tighter than it usually is so obviously I am getting better at stretching my right hand to tie shoelace. About time too

Sigh

Saturday, no staff.

But after lunch I will try this nipping off for a sleep for 45mins thingy....

"Oh what fun we had..." (noisy)

Chewing

And tonight I have just eaten my dinner and I was able to chew it with both sides of my mouth (Hooray)

Shops

Then we went out to Tesco's to buy a "making flapjacks" tray and a measuring table spoon. We got the tray there but had to try in Morrisons where we immediately found what we had been looking for for ages in Tesco.

And later we went to Waverley Stores and bought loadsa food but no flapjacks this week

Lunch

Then we came back "here" for lunch, I expected not to be able to chew, so I was expecting my tin of veggie soup but I was actually comfortable enough to chew one of my homemade flapjacks so with a cuppa coffee I called that lunch

Aargh

So at 10 o'clock s'morning Paul came round, did some paperwork then took me to the highlight of the day.

THE DENTIST

They did 2 fillings on the RHS but judging by the amount of drilling they needed they must have been well rotten.

Fear

And tomorrow morning I have a dentist appointment, a long one this time

What A Day #27

Gosh another full day. Yetanother one, I need a holiday.

Anyway I was here s'morning, Ed came and did paperwork and talked for an hour then Linda Smith the very expensive toenail cutter came and did my nails, next time she will be coming back a couple of weeks later as they were still a bit short.

Then we went out for lunch, went to one supermarket and were greeted by a huge queue so we went off to another shop/café and had loadsa salad and a piece of Homity Pie which was actually a let down after the delicious salad.

Then we went off to the gym. Where I was back on form, flirting outrageously again, although I did have to tell today's MOS, Sam to tell Tuesdays MOS that I wasn't angry with her and that hopefully I would flirt again next Tuesday.

Then I went to bed for a 45 minute lie down which I think I stayed awake for but it made me look more presentable afterwards

Deleted

And I was just about to go to bed tonight when I suddenly thought "No, check your trash folder". I looked and only messages with 19th on were there, 18th had deleted automatically. As I discovered last night, it now automatically deletes anything over 1 day old

Rain

And I took my bin out s'afternoon. I got outside and it was raining. I thought "It need's to be done" and carried on down across the car park and put the bin there. As I turned round to come home it stopped raining, so I went back upwards, homewards, under a sunny sky

Nap-py

Then after she had gone I went to bed for half an hour, with curtains open etc

OT

Then after lunch Sarah OT came.

First we made some flapjacks in a pan she brought, I had forgotten how easy it was so on my shopping list for next week is a baking tray.

We left them to cool and went into town to buy the fruit etc for my Christmas Cake

While we were discussing stuff here Denyse phoned and complimented me on having a mid-afternoon nap.

Lunch

And for about 2/3 of my lunch today I had an apple which again I ate with a knife cutting it into bits. I think I have become a fan again

Dull

So I woke up and got up at 8.30 s'morning. Nowt on s'morning but after lunch Sarah OT is coming here to take me to the shops to buy ingredients for a Christmas Cake that we are gonna make over the next few weeks

Paulineing

So Paul came in at 10 s'morning and did paperwork etc to start with. Soon after he took me off to meet Timmy who potentially is my new staff member. That went well then at 12 we said "See yah" to Timmy and went off to the gym. I did all the exercises that were expected off me but that and Paul said that I seemed knackered, un-lively.

Then I came back here and after lunch took myself to bed for half an hour, which again Paul commented on the difference in me

Then Freya came round and we took her out for dinner, at Pizza Place and it was delicious

Boogie Oogie Woogie

And we went to an excellent folk club at night time at Burry Port

Edding

So Ed came this morning at 10AM. Firstly we went off to Morrison's Supermarket where I spent loads more than usual, because we needed loadsa "stuff" that wasn't food. So we brought it back here and put it away then we went off to Frankie and Johnnie's where we had a delicious meal. Then after lunch we went off and actually found Mynydd Cerrig where I useda live this time

Sigh

So I was beginning to panic, I had been trying to phone Toby all afternoon, but it was out of service. Then a few minutes ago Julia (Toby's mum) phoned me and said "He is in Kidwelly with an uncharged phone and no money for the bus to yours, but he could remember my phone number and called me on a borrowed phone and asked me to phone you and tell you he is not on his way tonight"

Watching

And I started watching the MotoGP bike race on telly, I enjoyed it for about a lap and a half then I started thinking "I used to do that" and had to stop watching

One Touch

And this morning, making some food for later I had to use my One Touch Can Opener for the first time in anger. Very strange but wow it works well

More Quietness

Another quiet day here, the main excitement is cooking for me and that Toby chap for tonight, I think next week I had better start using some frozen bits but as I can't remember what's there I will cook for Toby and Freya again

Snack

And as a snack tonight I had some Bombay Mix (Organic) that I bought t'other week. Looking at the packet there are loadsa calories in a whole packet but almost none in the relatively small amount I will eat, perhaps 25 calories in total

Small Dinner

And I had a small dinner again today even tho I just had some salad for lunch. This slimming thing.....

Poohing

Yesterday I wasn't constipated but I did have to squeeze more than usual to get my pooh out. This morning it came out as easily as usual. So PHEW

Tra la lah

And dull waiting here today, there is almost no Ixion, I have already read The Guardian, what else is there to do?

She's Got Pink Hair

So Claire the Psychologist who is gonna be seeing Toby and Freya at the start of next month came to talk over some stuff. She will bring it up with the kids when she sees them, and hopefully improve our relationship

And she couldn't (or wouldn't) buy any hairdye today

Aargh, busy again

Well this morning Paul came round at 10, did some paperwork for an hour then at 11 Ed came round to assist us. Then about 12 o'clock we went off to the swimming pool, where all 3 of us played about and stretched my legs etc

Now my right knee is nearly crying so hopefully I have done it some good today

Then after that we went to Waverley stores for lunch where I had a potato cake, which I had no memory of ever eating one in the past (although it was delicious), and a cheese and veggie pasty and some salad.

As we were leaving we enquired wether they had there deliveries yet, they said yes so we were able to do my shopping then instead of coming back later.

Then we went off to Carmel where I didn't have to take any pics of new mess although 1 load was still there from last month

And I am flippin' exhausted now, I feel as if I haven't been to bed for a week. But Paul did suggest that I try going to bed half an hour earlier tonight, apparently you may sleep more fully. Wait and see

And I made a small dinner tonight 'cos lunch had been so big

Gym-ming

So today that Ed chap came round at 10 s'morning, hung about doing "stuff" 'til later, did paperwork while I had my lunch, then took me to the gym. Blinking flip, but I worked much harder today than I have in the past but as a quincy-quonce of my exercised I am now struggling to stay awake etc etc

And now, later I am still struggling

Well, it's a bit later now, I have had a delicious dinner etc and I feel slightly more alive

And I managed to stay up until a more "normal" bedtime, so I won't wake up about half past three in't morning. So PHEW

Dentist

So Paul came round today, did some paperwork then took me to the dentist

First of all I was at the hygienist who cleaned loadsa stuff off. Gosh my teeth look and feel so different now. I can now breathe between my teeth, I can't remember the last time I could do that.

Then I went to the proper dentist. They took out 2 roots that were left behind when the rest of the tooth fell out and replaced the temporary filling in the bottom LHS for now, I have another (costly) appointment next week (the first of many)

B,ITE (5)

Then me and Freya went off to "Where" she said, "A secret" I replied so in the end we got to where CCD, where we took turns driving a horse and cart. It was excellent fun for both of us

B,ITE (4)

Then Sarah the OT was waiting on my doorstep when we came back, so even tho I didn't even have time to eat lunch we cooked a (rather delicious) veg in a white sauce with grated cheese and breadcrumbs on top. Which was lovely by itself but relearning how to make white sauce with pasta bits (macaroni cheese) or cauliflower cheese etc

B,ITE (3)

And then I went to gym. Which again wasn't much fun but was doing me good. After gym when I was s'posed to be in the shower I had to stay smelly and cone back home to see my next visitor

B,ITE (2)

Then we went off and bought Toby a dongle so his laptop can recognise the interweb. When we dropped it off he said "No works" but we said "Leave it for a couple of hours and the last we heard he had got it working but was on his way out

Busyness, in the extreme (1)

First of all today Paul phoned on my behalf the folk who keep sending me the bill for £3.00 for the address hippyweb.me.uk. Because it turns out they still had me living in England so even tho my card details were right it said "No, he doesn't live here". Good lord, what a performance, so he ended up on the phone to a woman with an american accent who was saying "My PC doesn't recognise the address, is it....." and Paul was saying "No, it's too new an address for your PC to recognise it" then she was saying "So it's...." "No"

In the end he persuaded her to just type in what he was telling her, and she couldn't recognise his accent etc etc

S'evening

Then this evening me and Little Paul went to Headway which had as a guest speaker tonight someone from Carmarthen Carriage Drivers, and basically I am going there tomorrow with Freya to try driving a horse and cart. I am not sure yet whether I will be able to make it in on foot or whether I will need a disabled driving cart but either way I hope we both have an excellent time

With Ed

So that Ed chap came in s'morning and after 3 or 4 "jobs" for him to do we went off to't supermarket where again I spent very little

Proud

And they went off earlier, taking that Toby chap to try and make it up with Hannah. The conversation we had before they left made me wriggle with pride and nearly cry. I am proud of that Toby chap, and so are they

More Wrinklies Parents

(Proud)

So this morning my Mum and Dad came round as soon as they checked out of their hotel. After a while we went to pick up that Toby chap and he charmed them greatly etc. As my Mum has 2 bank accounts that a dead uncle donated the contents for, 1 for each of my littluns (Sam got his when he turned 18), we were able to take this Toby chap and spend ½ of his funds on a new laptop PC thingie

(/P)

Wrinklies Parents

So my parents came here s'morning, took me out for lunch then we went for a drive around. Mum said it was much too up-y and down-y but me and father said it was nice. Now they have gone off for an hour and said "C U later, Neil"

And we went out and had a meal and a chat which made me want to cry as it was about when I was so f**ked

Busy again

So Paul came round s'morning, started the day with paperwork and left me on my PC for a while.

Later he took me out to my exercise for the day which was in the gym. It was as scary as she could make it but I managed to do the cycling machine for much longer today. Just generally I feel that it was a good session.

After that we went off and had a lunch in town which was as good as last time we tried it.

Then he brought took me to Waverley Stores where again I did my weeks shopping

When we were home putting my shopping away my phone rang with a txt. It was from my parents they were in town and came up to see me. We went out and had dinner after they had spoken to Paul for half an hour. Then we went out, with my father driving my car. When we were out they both said how much better I seem/look etc. We went out and had another very nice dinner in Carmarthen, it was just generally good stuff. Then we came back here, they both complained about exhaustian and took an early night

Wrinklies

And tomorrow after I go to the gym, have a shower there, then after lunch nip out to Waverley Stores then I will go down and meet my parents who are coming to Wales to visit

CAVing

Then after lunch he took me to CAVS where I had a couple of hours introduction into what I will be doing in a fortnight when my weekly session starts properly. I watched, listened then I was able to with not much hassle do this for them. I think I learned fast enough that I should be familiar with it in a couple of weeks. So hopefully they will have a load of ads to put on-line next time

Psychologist

This morning, half an hour after Ed arrived, Claire The Psychobabbler came and for about an hour we discussed how and what she is gonna tell Freya (and Toby) to make them more on my side. It was a bit intimidating/scary talking about that issue of my past and telling her about times I have forgotten but reasonably positive now it's done

Rain

And I had to go outside to put my bin out down the bottom and it was raining so heavily that I had to change my top

And a couple of hours later I was out the front and it had stopped raining

Triple Good Lord

Gosh, well I wasn't looking forward to going to the swimming pool today, dunno why I just wasn't. But when we were doing stuff in the pool I actually enjoyed myself, and I was actually able to swim 2 breadths on my back, the first time I have been able to swim a breadth in 8½ years.

Then we went and had lunch in a café and had a bit of a look around before coming back

Then I answered a txt from Toby, he said "Can I come round and use your phone to phone a freephone number", I said "We will pick you up", picked him up, he was here for an hour then we took him home again

Up

And I was actually still asleep this morning when my alarm clock went off

Aargh

So Paul came round today. As ever the day started with paper work then he took me to Carmarthen Leisure Centre where I had ages with Becky. She got me to stand up from an armless chair which I was a lot more confident at the end etc. Then she had me standing facing the wall and doing press ups against it etc. And loads more, but again I wasn't too exhausted half an hour later, even tho I was when we finished.

After lunch Sarah the OT came round and helped me cook a delicious dinner, Sheperdless Pie.

Then Freya came round, we took her off to Orange Shop where I bought her a new phone (as I gave my old one to Toby) and hers had broken, she dropped it in the bath. Me and Paul both said "Never had one in the bath", the female shop assistant said "Gosh yes, I do" and another passing male member of staff when asked "Do you have your phone in the bath?" said "No, never" Then we came back, ate our Sheperdsless Pie in a hurry then took Freya to guides because her lift couldn't make it today

Grrr

Up before 7 again, didn't go to bed 'til midnight but.....

Fun

Sex, drugs and Folk Clubs.

OK, just a Folk Club but it was excellent. And I managed to walk back from the bar while carrying my drink, as it was small (Whiskey Mac)

CAVS

And we sent a flurry of emails backwards and forward to CAVS. Basically it will be sorted by Thursday, and I am going in this Thursday at 2pm to see what can be done etc. I also filled in the form as a volunteer and will post that later today

Busy

So that Ed chap came round, did some paperwork then took me to Morrisons where I bought the rest of my food. He came back here and sat outside while I ate my lunch. Later he took me to CAVS where I was interviewed about voluntary work

...And At 'Em

Up before the sun was up, this morning

Bored

And nowt happening today. That Toby chap is coming in for dinner l8r but nowt 'til then.

Gosh, a phone call a while ago made arrangements and him and his girlfriend came round for food.

No pics tho

Skinhead O'Connor

And looking through my old albums that Julia sent me there is a Sinead album, Am I Not Your Girl which was ours/mine before my accident, but I have no memory of hearing it before tonight

But at the end of track 3 "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" (noisy) there is a spoken bit which I do remember. All the rest I have forgotten but that one piece

And I did an exercise

So today I practised writing with my right hand. It was still slow and difficult but the written words were actually very legible, readable

P*ss

And over the last few days I have noticed that my bladder seems to be back to normal now, p*ssing much more rarely than 6 months ago

Small Paul's Boss

And I realised yesterday that Small Paul, my MOS, has resigned from his other position so I am currently his only boss

Back On My Feet

And today I am back on my feet, after wheelchairing around town most of the day yesterday

And it has gone well so far, still sitting in a proper chair and it is after half-four now

Shopping

After our trip to Leisure Centre we hung about in town. Had lunch in Morrisons Stores then went in and bought some Innocent Smoothies which is high on Neils new shopping list, I hope they are as good as they look. Then, after we came home and dropped off the smoothies, we went back out to Waverley Stores and did most of my weeks shopping

BB,CC,BB,WW

That Paul chap came in this morning, did paper work for a bit then took me to Carmarthen Leisure Centre where "someone" is paying for me to have 1 on 1 tuition. Today I tried the pedal a bike thing and the walking frame. I wasn't too exhausted leaving so I thing next weeks I will haveta work longer and harder

Iechyd Da

And we went to Club Iechyd Da (noisy link) tonight and it was excellent and Julia did come in to take Freya home, generally just good

More Scary Stuff

So that tall chap Ed came to see me s'morning, we hung about, did paperwork for an hour then we went off to the place that sells Bioness splints in Cardiff where they assessed me for various splints. They can't do me a Bioness, as my ankle doesn't bend back far enough but he did suggest rigid splint with a new pair of boots. Now I am waiting for "people" to agree to pay for it.

But I am no longer wearing my splint on my right foot, he said there is no point

And he seemed to think that my new boots will be same heel, not 1 upper like now, just normal boots

Just Wow

Today we spent all day travelling about an hour and a bit away because once we were there they had to assess me, work on the bike so it would work for me, then eventually I cycled, by myself, just short of 1km. Next time I go they will have prepared the bike already and I will be able to try much further etc. Just WOW

And pissing, today I was driven all the way to Cardiff before I needed a pee, and even that wasn't urgent. In the past even going to Swansea (perhaps ⅓ of the distance) would require stops

Gettin' Out

And yesterday I was able, for the first time in 8½ years since my accident to get out of a car "normally"

My car pulled up, I opened the door then just moved both feet out normally, I didn't need to lift my right foot up by pulling on my knee like I have needed to for 8½ years

More Walkies

And I walked everywhere today except into my kitchen to prepare food all day again today until me and Freya went out with that Paul for dinner

Wow

And today, while Paul was here to help me, I tried standing up from a "normal dining room" chair that had no arm support. I was worried and scared but it actually was dead easy

Phew, what a day

So nowt on this morning but Denyse had to come and see me after the team meeting. Basically she said "Keep on getting better, well done".

Then later Paul came round, did some paperwork etc, then when Freya arrived he took us all out for tea. I had some conversations to have with Freya, one of which was "I have told Toby he can't get in our way as it used to be our night out to Iechyd Da and then he got in the way of that when he came back from Julies" so I hope she now knows that I do love her

Out

And later I went out to play with Paul to a Folk Club miles away and it was excellent but I am exhausted now so g'night

Shopping

And after Morrison's we went to Halfords where I bought a Pink Steering Wheel Cover for the car

Walking

So I got up, used my wheelchair to have breakfast and clear it away, since then I have been walking everywhere

When "he" comes and knocks on the door at 10AM I will walk to let him in

Still all the way, we went out in the car for a bit so I sat in my wheelchair for Morrisons then we went for a drive about Cwrt Henri but I am still on my "proper" chair now

Well I got in my wheelchair about half past 5, enough is enough for today. "See you in't morning" he shouted to his proper chair

& At 'Em

So after being so exhausted yesterday I went to bed early for me, about 11.30. Slept like a dead thing 'til 7 AM. Then I woke up for the day

Firstborn

Toby came up for a bit tonight. He is well and seems fine although he still can't get up in't morning.

Technology

I was watching a bike race on telly t'other day and every now and again it cut to the in bike camera to show some exciting bits. Good lord, telly cameras used to be big heavy things, since my accident technology has gone crazy

Not Like My Life

So I have set my video recorder to record some comedies, I like Never Mind The Bollocks and Qi etc. But it occurs to me, these chaps and chapettes who tell funny tales, there life is is alien to my life now.....

No Wheelchairing

So I sat in my wheelchair to go into the kitchen and make my breakfast, and carry it back, since then it has been sat on the other side of the room, I am in a proper chair today.

From then until I cooked for me and Toby at about 6 I walked everywhere. Afterwards I stayed in my wheelchair, flippin exhausting this walking. Tomorrow try again

Blooming

Blooming... (noisy not WS)

Pirates

And there was a comedian on BBC1 tonight talking about how pirates are disabled, one leg or eye patches etc.
To which I say "Pieces of eight"

Pan (redone now)

And as I am bored and alone this morning I was able to make a pan of food which I shall start tonight then finish with Toby tomorrow. As well as my usual veg I was able to add the veg that had been left here to make Potato and Leek Soup which I didn't fancy

Tired

And after having such a hectic day yesterday I hardly slept a wink last night

Daughter

And I phoned Freya tonight and told her that I would take her out for dinner next Tuesday, I know she is p*ss*d off with me and I need to tell her that I do love her loads etc

More Hectic

And next week I am a bit busy too

Hectic

So first of all (Small) Paul came in and we caught up on paperwork etc.

Then for 12.00 we had to go to Carmarthen Leisure Centre where we met up with Sara who was assessing me again* for using the gym and met some of the staff who will be on my side. We were there for 2 hours then went and had coffee and a bun there with Sara to finish our conversation

Then we went back home and met up with Sarah who couldn't make it last week. We again talked about stuff and she made another appointment to come back in 2 weeks when we are gonna make Shepherds Pie, Without The Shepherd which I had in town t'other day and really enjoyed

Then we went to Waverley Stores and bought loadsa organic food for next week

* Because after the last assessment they got confused as my name has changed etc

Busy

And tomorrow is beginning to look a bit too busy, well first of all I have gotta meet Sara at Carmarthen Leisure Centre where we are gonna try to work out a series of exercises that I can do, then at 2pm Sarah OT is coming to see me and talk about my garden etc, then we have to go to Waverley Stores to buy my weeks shopping

Well

So I had an enormous chap looking after my needs today. We started slowly, him catching up on paperwork, then he explained how to set my telly to record programs. Talk about easier than 10 years ago, I needed no time/clock typing, I just got to a program, pressed record once to just record this weeks or press it twice to record the rest of the series. We went and looked at my recorded programs and I had recorded 140 episodes of one, whoops, by accident, but it must be huge this memory drive thingy.

Then in the afternoon we went out round town again, even tho I was exhausting him by insisting that I need to go uphill

Watches

And I found in a drawer another watch, a Casio F-91W, which I decided does everythin' I need that I would swap to that. I looked online to try to find out how to switch off the alarm and every website I found was saying how fashionable this watch is, how popular!! In the end I had to press buttons randomly until I figured out how to do it, there were no manuals in the 30 or so sites I looked at

Busy

So at 10 AM s'morning that Paul chap came round. For the first hour we were doing paper work etc. Then at 4 minutes to 10 (she was showing off by being early) the door knocked and it was Linda Smith the chiropidist to cut my toenails. It was fine, she advised me to get some Johnson's Baby Lotion to put on my feet as they looked a bit dry but healthy apart from that. Then we went out and took pictures of the entrances to Carmel park and on the way back stopped off at McD's for a milk shake and ice cream combination

B,B,C,C,B,B,W,W

So this evening that Freya came round to visit me. It was a bit strange, she wasn't at all unpleasant but somehow I feel that we missed each other.

But then after a couple of hours our old friend Moishe came to pick her up. She said she has just started work for CAVS and they need a volunteer who is hot on IT. So I said yes, pass on my details and we will see what comes of it

And Freya complained that her phone was broken but said she was gonna get a S/H one off Moishe

Gosh

And Paul took me to, miles away, Burry Port Folk Club and it was excellent

Ed

So Ed came in this morning, we waited until my washing sheets had finished then he put it away. Then we went into town, did the rest of my shopping at Morrisons then came home and put it away. Then we went in, had a look round town, trying to buy a money box with a hole in it, eventually we found one in Clinton Cards, but you must put in batteries and it counts your cash for you and displays it on the top

Later we went in and had a lunch in Waverley Stores. They served (an excellent) veggie shepherds pie. I really enjoyed it, I have never made veggie slop and mashed potatoes which this was, excellent. When we were leaving I went back to them and said "Shepherds Pie?? No, no, surely should be Lentil Farmer's Pie, they said they sometimes refer to it as Shepherds Pie, Without The Shepherd

AF2011 afterwards

And I came home today, It took from after breakfast to after dinner time tonight. Just WOW, I knew I looked up to Ixies before but I am certain now. Respect.

And it was a smidge odd waking up not in my normal bed. It is some years since I last managed that