Toby

But at least Toby came round for his half of delicious dinner tonight although I hardly saw him, I was so busy preparing it and cleaning up afterwards

And he said "Mmmmmm"

More Stuff To Talk About

Then shortly after I had got rid of one serious converser Denyse phoned me and said "I need to hand this report in by the end of December(#), may I ask you....."

(#) Late with permission as she was mid house move recently

Off Topic

Then Sarah the Occupational Therapist came to see me and instructed me making some delicious food, Refried Bean Quesadillas, to sharer with Toby. Which were delicious but a bit hard to eat with one and a half hands.

Then we talked a lot about me, my attitude and what I am learning. She said that next week we won't be cooking but she will concentrate on my right arm

Gymless

And I had no gym today, all the staff that know me were away

He's Back

And the road was open again so Paul was able to come here today....

Hooray

We talked a bit s'morning and he is cleaning the bathroom now, we need to nip to shop later then be back when Sarah OT comes to do some cooking. Then Toby is coming and he will hopefully like what we cook

Traffic Jam

And we are not going to the Folk Club tonight, not even going to the local pub as there has been a major accident and the main road is closed

And I did go to my local pub with Ed (Paul was still stuck in traffic trying to get here) pushing me there and back. There was loadsa cars queuing one way only both there and back

It seems pretty bad too, now

On My Own Two Feet

So Ed came round some hours after I had woken up today we talked for a bit then went to t'supermarket. There I was pushed through the automatic barriers then stood up and walked round the s'market. I had to sit in my wheelchair briefly after that when I was trying to decipher the bumf on the back of a packet. Then I stood up again, before we had moved and walked to do the rest of my shopping, queued for the til on my own two feet and walked the rest of the way to the door of the shop.

So I walked all around the supermarket today

'Noon

Very strange, the afternoon folk club then we picked up Toby and took him out for dinner on't way home

Dull Quiet Morning

No MOS this morning until I am being taken out s'afternoon

Walkies Shop

And it occurs to me that when we nipped to (More Reason To Shop At) Morrison's (noisy) yesterday I was doing the walk everywhere in't shop thingy, as we got in the door I stood up, pushed my trolley until we went back out through said door

Evening

Here I am sitting..... all alone..... bored......

Before Lunch

So we were on the way to St Clears and I thought "We are a bit early", headed up to Whitland, tried to find the farm I used to work for then headed out t'other side of Whitland, that I don't really know but WOW what a drive from there to lunch break. We passed a wind farm which produces enough energy for a small town, a castle and the most environmentally friendly house in the UK which I can't find a link for. He is, when his house is finished, not going to have any 'leccy bills (solar panels) no heating bills (dug down enough, warms up automatically). He might have a phone/internet bill but selling 'leccy from his panels should cover that

Lunch

So for lunch today Timmy said "Where you wanna eat, in or out?" so I said "Out but somewhere new" and he thought for a minute then suggested a place in St Clears which I was astonished and really pleased to find. For a start the food was very delicious (including the dressing on the delicious side salad) but most of the ingredients were organic. My kind of place

And after such a lovely lunch I am still not hungry at dinner time. I just had a pie, no oven chips with it for tea

Local Food

And I was in Waverley Stores last night, where I buy my veg and I was able to ask "the boss" if their veg was local as well as organic. She said "Yes" obviously eg bananas aren't local but they specify that everything has to be as local as possible.

Visitor

Then we brought Freya back with us and we had a lovely few hours.

And she elbowed her way in and made dinner for us. I had to chop up some veg but she did the rest

And when I said "Whaddaya want?" in't shop she bought some Soya organic pretend yoghurt things which were very nice

But I lost at cards today

Waverley

Then as Paul mentioned today as Freya was meeting us at Waverley stores again I had better leave it there on my timetable and not move it to Saturday as I had planned

Optical

Then we went to the opticians. He tested me loads, both eyes. Basically I am slightly short sighted on my left eye but there is no point giving me glasses which will sit on the shelf as I don't need to drive and he mentioned how it will actually help me seeing the Computer and my Kindle. My right eye is long sighted but as it is usually under a black thingy there's no point being concerned. And he said continue wearing the black thingy to prevent double vision

Practice

So me and Paul after some conversation went around town so we can find the optician that we need to go to soon.

After finding it etc we went to Gregg's Bakers and there Paul said to me "If you walk in here I will buy your lunch". So I did

Napless

So I didn't have time to have a nap today as I was busy all afternoon, but not it's 10.30ish and while I feel tired it's not too tired

But with respect I functioned OK last night but I still didn't sleep much last night (I was up b4 my alarm clock went off s'morning)

Kindling

As I finished my book last night I have moved onto the first of my books that Sam sent me, the first of the Harry Potter. And good lord, it is exciting already

Bored

And as Ed was here working today and I am scheduled for a shower tonight I got bored waiting for my hair to grow and had him cut it

Exhausted

Then I went to the Gym for my twice weekly session, although I missed last Tuesday. It went well, she was working me hard but still being distractable until Ed would tell us both off. Afterwards I filled in the forms to pay my new membership by direct debit which was a bit scary but it's done now

Ed-ding

So this morning Ed came in, we sat around talking nonsense for an hour then we went to The Coop at Cross Hands to meet up with Charles Evan who coordinates work at The Woodlands at Carmel. He bought us a cuppa to pay us back and discussed work we are doing and future projects

Wibble

And at the folk club tonight they ran out of whiskey macs and after 2 I had to go back round to drinking Guinness

Dating

So when I was having a look around in't shop earlier I saw a bargain box of dates. So I looked at 'em for a bit, thought "I used to like these but I haven't tasted any for nearly 9 years" but bought them to try.

WOW

How nice are dates?

OT

Then Sarah the OT came round. First of all I went to Morrison's to practice walking behind my trolley and we realised/decided that every time I go shopping there I will walk pushing my trolley. I will at first be followed by someone pushing my wheelchair so I can rest periodically.

Then we talked about loadsa stuff, generally about practising more walking

Dentist

So s'morning Timmy came in, we spent half an hour doing my homework for Sarah OT who is coming in thuisd afternoon then he took me to the dentist which wasn't too bad, I just had to see the hygienist today and she said that my teeth looked much better recently, suggested I spend longer flossing the back LHS and suggested I change the size of my flossers. Then we went to the shop, bought tooth care products then came home

Dinner

So for dinner tonight I made a veggie burger thingy which I would usually have with oven chips but today I decided that as I am slimming just 2 pieces of bread to make a sandwich would be more slimming. So dunno, but I hope so

Looks like I might be right

Freezer

Then tonight I was gonna cook my dinner, I opened the freezer and reached for the top drawer. It wouldn't open, it was stuck. I strugled with it for 2 or 3 minutes, still no joy. So I pressed "emergency call" and asked for some help. He said "10 minutes, is that OK?", eventually arrived and tried to open it.

No joy, he struggled, got the big knife that I had tried, still no joy. About 7 minutes later he finally got it open and turned over the packet that was jamming it

TOO Busy Then

So then this afternoon Paul and Denyse came round to tell me what they had been talking about in their meeting about me and then there was a knock on the door and it was that Toby chap coming for his weekly visit early as he had plans for tonight. I think next time he comes early it would be fine but as Denyse was here having a meeting it was a bit strange. Afterwards we took him to Waitrose and spent loadsa on food but I wouldn't buy him f*gs

Ultra Decadent

So because there is no MOS coming here s'morning so my alarm clock was set for 8.45 as usual when it went off (I forgot to switch it off last night) I reached out, pressed off and nodded off again until 10AM

Out

So tonight me and Ed and Paul (because someone was learning about "me") to Burry Port Folk Club and had fun. Again it didn't seem "the usual" people singing so.....

and it seemed reasonably quiet tonight too

Ed-ding

So Ed came in s'morning, made my bed (I had unmade it and washed it), did some paperwork then took me to Morrison's to do a little shopping. This afternoon after my nap we will go out exploring a bit then he is scheduled to stay and go to the Folk Club with me tonight. Oh hoo-flipping-ray. A Folk Club yesterday afternoon then a different one tonight - what fun

Napless

So after no nap today I have done all I needed to tonight but I am going to bed about an hour earlier than usual

Folky

So I said "Don't wanna go to Folk Club today, don't wanna eat", he said "No need Neil" so I went and it was excellent. It seems like a different crowd than is around Carmarthen and I re-broadened my views today

And someone performed this, which I thought was amusing too

And as we picked up Toby and gave him a lift home on the way back I couldn't have a nap like I had planned

No Underline Links

And last night I found out a way to put the name for the links without an underline bit for the 4 links at the top of my webpage to make them look a bit tidier against the picture below them

Up

And I am still up as no MOS is coming here 'til 2pm tomorrow

And I had a lie in s'morning, it was ......9.30 before I got up. Decadent

Phew

And phew, for the first time in 2 or 3 days I have finally found the bit to make Google answers to open in a new page, like I want, like I used to have.

Afternoon

So at midday, before lunchtime, we headed to Cardiff to the cycling place to do another hours cycling. It was good but just not worth the travelling time at all.

On the way there we stopped at services for lunch, I had a brie and onion panini, which wasn't as nice as a much cheaper cheese and onion pasty which they didn't sell

Morning

So I had the morning with Ed, dunno what we did, I read more on my Kindle, talked about swimming yesterday, not much else.

Oh he managed to tell me how to fix the bit on my webpage which every time I loaded the program it said "Broken"

Wiv My Daughter

Then today that Freya came over. She had pie and cous-cous whereas I only had cous-cous as I had had such a big lunch after my swim. Amongst Freya's baggage was a beautiful container that she had made at school. Also I beat them, Freya and Paul, outrageously at a game of cheat that we played with cards

'Wimming

First thing s'morning Paul was here talking nonsense with me

Then later me and Paul went swimming. Gosh, it felt better already. Paul asked me if I had done some magic exercises over Christmas, I was looking better. And I could handle being out of my depth too. AND when walking only 1 step that I took my right foot tried to tern over. A mixture of concentration and good luck seemed to keep me foot correct

As Paul said today was the best session we have ever had in the pool

Chrome

And suddenly tonight all the pics on my website were half sized and some of the txt was grey and tiny on Chrome but not on Mozilla, I couldn't find any way of fixing it. So I tried to download Google Chrome again but it said the version on your PC is newer than this one so no, so I had to delete Chrome (untick the boxes "Shall we forget everything"), then reinstall it and thankfully it seems as good as yesterday.

Thursday

Well Ed was in today. He spent most of the day saying "What's wrong?" but perhaps I was grumpier than usual. Later s'morning we went to a charity shop in town and dropped off my old bedside clock (radioless) and a set of sort of lace thingies, to tighten your shoes withiout pulling, that didn't get used

After lunch we went to the gym where today I had Sam to myself, the other 6 folk who were there t'other day weren't here today

And today we had to say to her that I had got a letter of someone who wanted us to come over there next week at 9.30AM to tell me how well I was etc but she said "Don't worry, I will contact them and tell them no need"

And I kind of broke it to them that when my cheap membership runs out next weekend I will stop coming. They all tried to say otherwise but dunno

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