Weary

And we had an excellent FC tonight, it seemed really good

OT

Then later Sarah the OT came to see me. We talked loads about new pathways in the brain after an injury so we can function. Also we talked about tone and how it is important to multi task so not to forget and put my right hand twisted while walking.

Next week we are gonna go and buy some blueberries at Morrisons and she will assess how I am walking etc

Shopping Twice

So today me and Timmy went out shopping for a new clock radio for next to my bed so I can listen to R4 in bed eg. First of all we went to Curry's and bought one, brought it back, plugged it in but it sounded sh*t, so we had to take it back. Then we went to Tesco's and got a much dearer digital clock radio so now I can listen to R4 in bed

New Library

So today that Toby chap came around first of all we took him out then we took him to the library where he learned a bit about using one, and after a few minute looking around was able to borrow 3 books

Then we went out and had a dinner in Pizza Hut which was delicious and I am trying not to make too much fuss about price ATM

Gym

So today I was back at the gym with Becky and Sam - this time I was in a class which felt a bit strange but went well. I was walking about the classroom without my stick and I had to do a fair distance

Timetable

And I was just about to go to bed tonight when I realised that "he" had done next months timetable so I had to write that all in, making a note of any queries before snooze

Headway

So we went to Headway meeting and it was as useless as usual, but as I said I want to climb and abseiling with them I'd better not leave too soon.

Then afterwards me and Paul went to the Stag and Pheasant pub which was noisy with people watching football, there I had a pint of bitter then was looking at all the shorts I couldn't decide so I asked "her"(*) for some advice and she suggested a Jagermeister which was wow and lovely but I drank it in about 15 seconds

(*) Who works across the road for Leonard Cheshire too

Rogering

So this afternoon Roger Weddell came down to talk to me again, he is some kind of psychobabbler that got in touch with me at Headway so I answered his loadsa questions and pocketed his cheque(1) for answering

(1) How old fashioned!!

Visitor

And after me and Ed had gone shopping that Toby chap came around to return the 3 books he borrowed last week and borrow a few more as he had finished them. He seemed cheerful and cool and went off after about an hour

And I think I might have to introduce him to the library as he needs free books etc

Wiv Ed

So Ed came round s'morning when I was still eating my breakfast as I had been on't phone to Lloyds TSB first to sort out my debit card but all is well now

Daytime Folking

It seemed really strange going to a folk club in daytime. The first 2 songs there was only me and Timmy as audience but it soon got busier and better

Napless

And it occurs to me that the Folk Club today should be at my napping time of day so I will have to sit quietly not listening to music etc in't car the way there and possibly the way back

Manana

So tomorrow we are going to a new folk club (hopefully) in The Greenfield Inn in Llanelli which although I haven't been is according to a contact well wheelchair accessible.

The FC is on hopefully from about 3pm to 8pm-ish

Debiting

So this afternoon me and Tim(my) went to (More Reasons To Shop At) Morrisons noisy to basically check out if my debit card worked over the counter - Which it did

Pink Hair

Then Claire the Psychobabbler came to see me and it went well. We talked about Toby and Freya and generally about me and it was positive

Replacement

So my replacement debit card arrived s'morning, I hope it works properly

And me and Tim(my) went into town and checked it out and I got twenty quid out so it seems to work

Groovy Visitor

And then Freya came around for her first Friday visit. I dunno if what we said was helped but she seems generally more pleasant etc and it was good to see her. We took her home afterwards but next week she is starting music lessons after school so we will drop her there

Honey Mummy

And today Paul brought me some honey from one of his mothers hives(1) and just WOW, it tastes different than processed honey but delicious

(1) Her new hobby

Plasters

So today me and Paul took my splint (off my foot) into Boots, showed them the pieces of metal making me allergic and they said "Erm..... um..... try this" but so far it looks good. Afterwards we put my splint back on etc and so far it seems ok.

Organic(?)

Paul Coyne wrote:
Really? Organic Food Article

Neil replied:
Oh sh*t. I can't bear to read very much of that now, as I wanna shout summat, but I will have another, preferably longer, look tomorrow

Neil again
God, I feel like a religious type who has just found out the devil is in charge after all. A very big thing to get me head round. And it was from a relatively truthful newspaper, if it was The Sun I would just think "Usual bollox"

Today

So me and Ed were sat here talking s'morning when there was a knock on the door. It was this Toby chap trying to put the day in, he had gone to bed about 8pm yesterday and woke up about 6.30 s'morning but he got up and was trying to get back into a pattern of appropriate sleep. We took him to Co-op and had a look round and bought him some food to take home.

He seemed well and cheerful so....

Stag

So we went to Llanelli looking for the Folk Club, after we waited 20 minutes a man came up to us and said "Not tonight" so we drove off back to Carmarthen.

We were originally going to the pub at the bottom of my road but I said "Take me elsewhere" and we ended up in the Stag And Pheasant which seemed worth the trip, reasonably busy even tho it was only Wednesday night etc etc

Allergic

So I said to Tim(my) that I have a bit of an allergic reaction on my leg to my splint. He said "OK, lets look", took my splint off and could see the rash and it only coincided with the metal bits on the inside of attachments. He put 2 sticky plasters on the metal bits and it now feels so much better

Off Topic

Then Sarah the Occupational Therapist came to see me and we talked about loadsa stuff. Basically we arranged what we are gonna be doing in the next few months sessions. We are gonna be looking at The Hero's Journey but/and we needed some extra stuff. Some cooking, some watching telly, some of getting a life

And she discussed my being able to write with my right hand and what we were gonna look at improving next time

(My)

Tim(my) came in s'morning, we went shopping, bought some blueberries, tra la la

Napper

I napped today in the car on the way back from Swansea today (as did Toby). Paul said "Asleep", I said "No", and he said "Yes, you were snoring for 15 minutes then".

Smelly

So today I was listening to the MOS who said "You were smelly yesterday", I said "But how, I washed my armpits night before...." and he said "Ah, but you need a shower because of unpleasant grod's etc, so tonight I had one and it wasn't as unpleasant as I recall so, perhaps, it might be a more frequent adventure

Pizza Express

While we were in Swansea we went to Pizza Express for lunch, which was delicious and as big or as small (for us dieters) as you want. I was rather impressed, there is a place in Carmarthen that serves Pepsi when you have asked for a Coke (and they looked at me a bit strangely when I complained) but in Pizza Express I said "Can I have a Coke, please" and she replied "No, sorry, Pepsi?" which I think is more respectful, giving customers what they have ordered

What A Day

So Paul came round s'morning, we were talking about "stuff" when there was a knock at the door. It was that Toby chap who had come hours before he was expected, to print off a copy of his CV to leave with another employer. We ran him into the potential boss then took him to Swansea to check out ticket prices and availability at the Football Stadium (Which is where I watched Rugby last week). While we were there Toby went to a bigger shoe shop and bought himself some new trainers

...&About

Burry Port Folk Club, the lovely voice of Ali, tonight.

Fixed It

Then I tried to watch some BBC I-player but nowt was coming on. We both looked at instructions and waited ages while it reset still nowt. Then I went to bed for my nap. When I got up Ed was watching I-player again. This was because of my 2 Wifi plugs needed resyncing. Dunno why they had gone off but they work now

'Ding

So s'morning me and Ed went to the shop where I didn't need much, I took £50 from the bank and asked Carly if she could replace it, came back and had a discussion about petty cash etc

Carolyn txted me back (from her new phone) and said "The bank is closed 'til Wednesday but I will do it then"

My memory

And I woke up s'morning, got my breakfast and remembered that there were no blueberry's, I had finished them yesterday. It might seem strange but my memory is improving, it worked at all

Lordy

Then this afternoon Tim(my) came round, chatted for a bit then we set off to Swansea to the new rugby stadium. We stopped for an early dinner on't way there then made it there in good time. It was up in a lift to the disabled bit which was 2 seats, 2 wheelchair spaces, 2 more seats, 2 more wheelchair bits etc all the way along to the end of the disability section. There were no seats behind us so access was excellent, there were loadsa disabled loo's and a bar there too. And it turns out that Tim(my) is a referee occasionally so I could ask him to clear my mind occasionally.

The game was entertaining, we had an excellent view, I did enjoy it but watching the game I could really tell how f**ked my vision is, gaps and not being able to look both ways without turning my head etc.

So even tho I did enjoy tonight I don't think I will wanna go again unless I can get some dramatically improved vision

Clever Chappy

And "someone" (who needs to be kept secret) has just sent me 23 books for my Kindle. VVVVVBG

HNY

Well Happy New Year I s'pose

Buying

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

Off, in a bit

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

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

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

Surprise

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

Cashless

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

Ybot

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

Winner

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

Here Now

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

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

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

Weary

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

Folky

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

Eaten

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

Done It Up

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

& At 'Em

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

Dear

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

Eventua-flippin-ly

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

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

Waiting

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

Bed Soon

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

Pressie

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

Cake

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

Well

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

Hippy Chrimbly

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

George Michael

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

Wow

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

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

s

weary

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

Sam

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

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

Alone

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

Packing

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

New Cushion

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

Warm

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

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

Excellent Folky

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

Tim

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

Just In Time

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

More Shopping

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

Chocolate

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

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

Shopping

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

Alarm Clock

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

Burry Port

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

Boots

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

Me&Ed

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

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

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

ETB

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

Weird Dream

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

Superfood

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

Out&About

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

2nd Dull Day

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

Christmas Time

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

Crisis

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

Well

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

I am getting better

Gosh.

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

L8r

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

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

Wimming

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

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

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

Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief

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

Fark

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

Dentist

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

JIT

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

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

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

Stuff for Scotland

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

Mañana

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

Evening

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

More Afternoon

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

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

Busy Afternoon

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

Busy Morning

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

What A Day

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

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

Aargh

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

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

Clean Up

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

Phew

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

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

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