Young Men's Heathen Society

While we were in Swansea checking out the bowling place we diverted a bit and found where I used to work, years ago. I was a bit confused because across the street was different from my memory but as I am thinking about it that was the Student Union for the poly in Manchester that I was confusing it with

More Timmying

So with Tim s'morning we are going off to have a look at Bowling in Carmarthen, if I like it and can use the aid then we will have a day for me, Toby and Freya on my birthday. Bowling then buy 'em dinner.

It turns out it was in Pembrokeshire so we drove miles west, got there and it seems closed down for good. So it looks like on my birthday we will go bowling in Swansea instead, we will have to go visit there at some point

(Sigh) So s'afternoon we went eastwards to Swansea and found the bowling place there, it was noisy but looked OK, most places have a step up to the balls but there was a temporary ramp that I could see. I might be able to walk the short distance to there but I couldn't pick up an enormous heavy ball with my only good hand so I need to be sitting down

Half Time

Half time and "we" are winning the rugby - 6 nations

Full time and we got the tournament and a Grand Slam

TimMY

So Timmy came round s'morning, washed and creamed my feet, then we went off to Boots and bought some new eye-patches then we went into that McDonald's place where he bought me a strawberry milk shake, which was nice but a bit thick

And as I was being paranoid about drinks I looked and it was vegetarian

Guitar

And I tuned my geetar and was playing it tonight. Yes, I am still sh*t at it but a lot less sh*t than last time

Mouse Mat

And today during a discussion about using my right hand to work my 'puter someone said "You need a mouse mat that holds it up", someone else said "Look in the bottom drawer" so I now have a new mousemat sitting on the RHS of my keyboard which I use some of the time

#29

And after such a hectic day that Freya came to see me, she seemed cheerful although I was too knackered to speak to her much

What a day #28

After lunch Sarah came back (I said "Perfect strangers, I haven't seen you for ages") and the chap from The Chair Manufacturers came round and demonstrated his less wheelchair but adaptable assistant seat which I am really impressed with. So I have asked someone to buy one for me (noisy link), when they have found the £2,500 they will do.

What a day #27

Gosh. So first thing Sara and Sarah came to assess my right shoulder and wrist etc. Firstly I had to get on the bed and lift the stick that lives next to the bed with both hands to practice moving my right shoulder. Then Sara(h) did loadsa stuff hurting my shoulder but it did help. She has made an appointment to come back and get stuck in again next week

RHS

Then later on I put on a clean shirt. I was able to use my (ex-ish) wonky right hand to roll up and button the left arm.

Then I was able to hold my camera with my right hand and take a picture of that

Ybot

So after my haircut that Toby chap came round for a visit, as he missed Tuesdays, and he was pleasant if a bit worried about finances

Edding

And so that particular Ed came round s'morning, he sat on his laptop while I went out and nearly but not quite yet finished Harry Potter 4, so far I have read 96% of it

He had agreed that, after I go to gym today, he will cut my hair, well the sides and leave the mohican looking mohicanish!!

And phew, gym went well, as ever. I tried standing up from a chair with no cushion on it, and failed dismally, but not as dismally as last time I tried. Now I will go and have a nap, then Ed can cut my hair while Toby visits me and uses the shower

Folking

And then we went to Llanelli folk club and it was excellent. We asked if there were disabled seats on next weeks trip out on the Central Wales Railway but they said "Dunno" and will txt or phone me and let me know

So after the excitement that the cinema held...

So after the excitement that the cinema held I decided to go out for diner. We went to look again at the new place that I couldn't find any vegetarian on the menu of but TimMY was actually able to find some so I went there for tea, I am looking for somewhere else to take my kids and it was OK

Timmying

So Tim came round s'morning. Firstly we nipped to the shop and bought more Blueberries....

Soon I will need an early lunch as we need to meet Sarah OT at cinema at half past one where we are gonna try to find a better seat for me to sit and see The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Which didn't strike me as a must see but she was saying "Cinema next week" so I looked to see what was on

And it was rather good in the end. I had to walk up about 8 pairs of steps, I think we should have not been as far to one side but I did it. And the film was OKish too

By Myself

And I had no one here s'morning as they were having a meeting.

Followed by That Denyse talking loads and then she had to leave quickly, followed by Paul.

And as Toby said "Can I come and have a shower (ours is bust) as I am going to see an old friend of ours from Mynyddcerrig tonight, oh, I was supposed to see u too, erm.... Thursday?"

Noisy Afternoon

Then I went to a Folk Club which went rather well, including a strange instrument...

Quiet Afternoon

Then we had a quiet afternoon, nowt to do so I sat on my PC. Ho hum, Folk Clubbing later

Shopping (Walkies)

So me and Ed went shopping s'morning, we parked outside Morrison's, I got out of the car and walked, left my 'chair in't boot

Dropped It In

I went to the loo after watching the match, and tucked into the back of my belt was the TV remote control. I had forgotten it was there, was standing at the loo when it fell out of my belt and fell down the loo.

Panic

So I tried it, no working, took out the batteries and set it on the radiator, hope for the best

And this morning (12th) it seems to have dried out and be working fully again. Phew

Ding again

And we hung about all morning, him typing email etc and me reading Harry Potter 4. Nap soon then watch the end of the rugby

And we won the 6 nations rugby 'cos England beat France today!!!!

OK, hopefully, just about.....

Little Telly

And I was watching the rugby on my littler telly today and WOW what a difference. I couldn't see the ball between plays and I was able to just move my eyes to find it, not having to move my head.

It is such a big difference

Rugger

I have just watched the Wales rugby match, ooohhhhh

Ding

So Ed came in s'morning, I took him off at first to buy some toothbrush heads, but they seemed to have gone well up in price so we went to Morrison's but they had gone up there too. We bought their pricey ones anyway as it was easier/cheaper that going back in a car

Wiv Freya

And we had to take Freya out to buy a swimming costume for the party she's going to tonight, which she didn't know was a swimming party until she was on her way here, after dinner wiv me. Then we took her out for dinner, looked at the menu of a new place and went somewhere old anyway then

'Wimming

And I managed to make an excuse s'morning so I couldn't go swimming. Paul insisted "Next week", wait and see

Ruth

Shortly before I went to Gym that Ruth called round to say "Hi"

Gyming

And at the gym today was a new member of the class. He was having trouble with some movements (stroke last year) but I told him to stick with it, to carry on as it's helping me

Carmeling

This morning Ed and me went to Carmel to the National Trust site where I am taking pictures of litter etc and we didn't need to take a single pic today, it's all tidy

Out

And we went out and had a good time tonight at Folk Club

Cinema, or not

And as the van with my new, smaller, TV is on it's way today I had to ask Sarah the OT if I could wait for it and make a date for next week. Much to my surprise she said "No problem"

And then me and TimMY went shopping, in the hardware shop that replaced Tesco's then into Argos to try and get attachments to fix my new TV up at eye height. After we couldn't find any in Argos either he looked online at the model of my new telly and says "Oh, we can't get one". So then we looked at shelves in Argos and got a reasonably cheap one to put up, fix my TV to it and.....

Walking

And I had to have the high heel bit on my right boot made slightly smaller as..... dunno..... my foot might be getting better by itself. It feels a bit strange but better

Ybot

Then later today that Toby chap came around. He was cheerful etc but hadn't been to bed since yesterday so we had to take him back to his Mum's house early

But this is slightly positive, he doesn't wanna be at home so he goes to his Mum's, obviously they are better together than they used to be

Booking

And we booked a wee holiday in Belfast on or about my Dad's birfday today

And I had to pay for it

No, too much seriousness for one day, I can't have done that.....

Gym-ming

So Paul came round s'morning and soon after we had to go to the gym. As usual I was being a mouthy f**ker but I am beginning to realise that people look at me and think "Last week he couldn't do this...." and I said to a chap who was walking between 2 MOS that "You couldn't walk" so.....

Groovy

And despite the troubles we managed to have a good time seeing the bands/singers today

...dington

So s'morning me and Ed (well actually Ed alone) took off my boots and splint and creamed my foot then put my footwear back together and took me to shop, Morrison's and there we parked next to a trolley pile, I got out of the car, walked a short distance unaided then got a trolley and had to walk a lot in't shop, I walked it all without my wheelchair

Then we just hung about this afternoon, didn't go anywhere, had a nap..... what fun

Toby

Then we promised Toby that we would nip to the shop and buy him some bread and mayo to keep his stocks up

Fixed

And I have been reminded that we fixed underlining links and opening them in a new window on Blog

Which I had forgotten, I was trying to fix it again....

Rugby

And I we are watching the postponed Ireland v France rugby match. And Ireland are winning at half time. It looks like only the second victory they will win in France in about 50 years. Wait and see

Ooooh, 17-17 at the end, that was too exciting

Sexy

And out of the blue today I was muttering a song that I recall and had to search the Interweb to find it

Wiv TimMY

So TimMY came round s'morning, and moaned loads about the council inflexibility etc.

He was able to make my phone actually link to the mobile version of my diary so I can now read it/update it on my phone, if I ever want/need to

Cream

And now to keep the infection in my foot at bay I need someone to spread cream on my feet twice a day

Toby

Then we had were asked to give that Toby chap a lift home from Kidwelly and he seemed to be learning

Pink Hair

Then Claire the psycho babbler came round and talked about all kinds of stuff. She said that she hadn't been asked yet to write another report but is expecting to

Ho Hum

Then s'morning Small Paul came round again to see me. First things first we went to Waverley Stores because we were at the f*cking doctors yesterday when I usually go. They had nearly everything fresh and did say "We were so worried when we didn't see you yesterday"

I was talking to a MOS there about how I am pissed off with having to make effort after effort to get properly better and she said "Yes, I understand. I broke my ankle 5 years ago (Which wasn't as serious as your accident but....) and afterwards I could have sat down bored or make myself learn to walk again etc"

Doctor's

And the doctor, who I haven't met before, gave me loads of advice and a weeks worth of more antibiotics.

I asked can I drink and she said "Not too much but yes"

Recording

And I have been a bit puzzled for a number of days because recording on my Nokia E7 phone have been saved as a .amr file which I couldn't do out with without downloading extras. But today I thought I was doing the same and it saved as a .wav file. Dunno what is going on but long may it last

Pauling

With Paul on we had little to do s'morning. Later on we went to the Doctors to get a "tell me more" about my leg which is a lot less swollen than it was but still some. She said lats of stuff basically I need to rest it with my foot up to get the blood away. Then we met Freya in the Doctors as she had to meet me there instead of going to Waverley stores like we usually d on Friday. Instead we will go there tomorrow morning. Because I needed some veg to cook tonight's dinner we went to Frankie and Benny's and has a 3 way meal. We took ourselves to that Tesco place and bought some milk and some new sox, not too tight round my ankle like the old ones.

Pis*ing

And it has come to my notice that my pissing is just about back to normal, at last. It is ages since I have needed a pee about every 15 minutes, I am so glad.

(I would say "I am relieved" but that implies just had a wee)

Gym-Ming

Yes so this afternoon I will go and see if they have forgotten me at Gym as it's called

And phew, it's done. I said I couldn't do as much walking as usual because of the swelling so she moved the end walking chair about 2m and just said "Go for it". I wasn't alone this week as a chap called Chris who can't communicate (or use his right arm) after his stroke was there too

Me&Ed

And this morning me and Ed went out to get more Classic Salad. Today we parked next to a trolley load, I walked there, got a trolley and walked into the shop. I left my 'chair in't boot

Folky

And then we went out to Llanelli folk club where I had one alcoholic drink followed by a glass of water(1) followed by an orange juice and lemonade

(1) As this is the 3rd glass of water I have had today. Dunno, I need it they think

Aligator

So later that TimMY came round and sat here doing strange reading of reports etc. Then Sarah the OT came in and we talked about loadsa stuff for us Brain Injured types then arranged to go to Cinema next week in Carmarthen.

Now I need a nap then we are going to Cinema to find out dates and times for next week

Hoo-flipping-ray

So t'other day I asked a MOMS for some assistance, then the next day I asked another one and between the 3 of us we couldn't find a way of making all links in a Blog open in a new window AND have an underline but this morning I have done it all by myself which will make my life a bit easier. I no longer have to type "target=_blank" to make links open in a new window or type "^u^ and ^/u^" either side of the txt to be underlined

Toby

Then that Toby chap came round to see me. We talked about dinner and in the end decided to goto Frankie and Benny's to have some burgers, I had a veggie one and Toby had a dead creatures one. It was lovely

Toby seemed in good form tonight, he was telling me about him and his Mum are working together to try and clean Toby's system out of all the dr*gs he has been taking

Shopping

Then as we were just shopping for more Blueberries we drove to Morrison's, I got out of the car with no wheelchair, walked across, got a trolley to stabilise me and walked into the shop like that, back out and back to the car which contained my wheelchair.

But they didn't have any Blueberries with longer than 1 day on them so after that we had to go to.... [embarrassed]... shhh... Tesco's where we got 2 packets with a 4 day best before date on the

m

What A Performance

So me and Paul had to go to A&E this morning for a scan to see if my left leg had DVT in it. So we went there, she asked me to take off my trousers and put on a gown then spent ages doing strange stuff to my leg.

After all that I had to wait for 20 minutes for the results but I don't have DVT

Off out

And we are off to Burry Port to the folk club in a bit

And it was good, folk were saying pleased to see me but we left about 9.30 as I couldn't drink any more orange juice - but no beer, I am on antibiotics ATflippingM

Bruising

And in the shower last night I noticed a line of bruising at the inside of my left elbow. I wondered where it had came from but no idea. Later on today I showed Ed and he said "Ah, blood tests last Friday" Ooooh

Scan

As someone phoned me twice today, first time I couldn't go then they phoned me back with a different appointment time so now I have to go to Glangwili Hospital for a scan on my leg tomorrow that the GP got for me. But the swelling has gone down, the antibiotics are working

Shopping with Ed-ding

So then this morning we went to Morrison's where I had to buy more than usual. Again I was walking around the shop with Ed coming behind me pushing my wheelchair. Again I didn't need the 'chair, I didn't sit down but I don't as of yet have the confidence to walk unaccompanied.

At a guess I will go back to the shop on Thursday to but more salad and blueberries, I might try that shorter trip without my 'chair

Walkies

And last night I walked to bed and this morning I walked back, then walked into the loo. It still seems really radical to me but as it is becoming more normal I shan't post about it again.

Ta for your patience

Ed-ding

Then Ed came in and has been catching up on paperwork and reading documents all day. At 8 o'clock tonight we were in Kidwelly picking up that Toby chap as a favour

(More) Walking

"And last night, for the first time in nearly 9 years, I got off my chair, walked to bed, slept, got up and walked out of the bedroom. No wheelchairs were involved at all!!!"

I did that, as of yesterday, s'morning, then today after all that I came back to my living room, sat down for a couple of minutes then stood up, walked into the bathroom, sat on the loo and did my business

Dinner Time

And after my nap and watching the rugby we went out to the hotel my parents are staying in and had a delicious dinner

We are back now awaiting some fun

Waverley

So my (wrinkly) parents came back round today. First of all I showed them the proof that I am loosing weight further and held my hand out until my father paid me more. We chatted for a bit then went to town. We looked all round the market etc then went and had a delicious lunch. Now they have gone off, I will nap then watch the rugby

Walking

And last night, for the first time in nearly 9 years, I got off my chair, walked to bed, slept, got up and walked out of the bedroom. No wheelchairs were involved at all!!!

Geetar

And when Sara was gripping my arm I happened to mention that I thought my arm was better enuf so I had been thinking of trying my guitar once more. She said "Try it now" so I did, it was still too difficult but a lot easier than last time I tried, so I have another hobby

ObAnd today someone else paid for my sandwiches today

What a Flippin Day

So Paul (the stranger) came round today. Firstly I had a visit from Sara the physio and she got stuck into my arm, hurting it but making it feel better too. She gave me a list of instructions verbally but I a have had such a shit afternoon since that I can't remember. Hopefully she will email me the instructions anyway over the next few days.

Then someone looked at my leg and said "It is too swollen, off to Drs". The Doctor said "No, looks ok but you need to have that checked in hospital"

So then I had to go to hospital, wait for ages to be seen, put up with him not being able to find a vein to take blood, then waiting even longer to see a Dr type. He said "Seems all OK, take these as a precaution, we will contact u and ask you for a scan to be really safe, so waiting

Then I was at last able to go with my folks and let them buy my dinner. They had to look after Freya earlier when I was stuck in the Drs......

Scared/Intimidated/No Problem

And tomorrow (well later today) Sara The Physio is coming to get stuck into freeing my right arm. Then my parents are coming to tell me what my Barrister said t'other day about my claim

Gym-ming

And Ed had his way and I went to the gym. I was trying to distract her but she paid attention. And said afterwards that I am getting so good at the exercises that we perhaps need to find summat else to do to make up my hour of exercises

Ed-ding

So Ed came into see me s'morning. We can't go off to t'shops etc as I am waiting for the Wheelchair Fixer to come....... I warned them at Gym on Tuesday that if he hasn't come by the time I am due to leave I am going nowhere

And good lord but he has been and fixed my 'chair. Ed seems to think that as he has been I should go to gym now....

And He Told Me

And on the way home from the pub tonight we had a strange conversation in't car about stuff I have forgotten in the last ten years or so. There was one that is timewise what I should remember but obviously for me to remember it at all was just NOOOOOO.....

&About

So tonight we went out to Stag & Pheasant pub in town where I was drinking strange cloudy cider which I actually rather enjoyed

Meeting

And Mum and Dad and my Big Sis and Denyse were all at a meeting with my barrister today, I have heard

"Omg the things we do 4 u meetin just over loads of things discussed but most important how much better u are and how that means that u need more money 4 ur own place & ur support workers so some of the experts have 2 write some more reports so guess wot no settlement as yet!! But things are definitely moving on so sorry I have no definite news but it was all very positive xx"

Sleep research

And in a story on't BBC today it talks about how this big sleep thing may well be a myth which I had thought for some time

Cooking

Then Sarah the OT came round. Spent ages talking about me being bored etc then we got stuck in and made some pancakes, even if we were a day too late.

They were delicious with caramel toffee and some lemon juice that Sarah brought with her, even if they were a day too late

Sleep Is For The Weak

Strange night, I didn't have time for a nap yesterday and I woke up sitting in my chair about midnight, went to bed and didn't sleep a lot after that. Ho hum.

So TimMY came round this morning, commented on how grumpy I looked but.....

Napless

And I didn't have time for a nap today and it f*cked up my night

Scary

And after lunch my financial rep came into see me. He talked loadsa "bollocks/stuff about my claim" and g*d knows, I hope he will sort my finances out

G*m

Well the g*m session went as well as can be expected today, I had loads to do but I did it

J*s*s

Gosh, well today I have an appointment at t'gym firstly then my sister & hubby are coming to see me, followed by Denyse then last of all is my new financial rep. They are coming to do useful stuff but it's a sign that my claim while not being paid yet is becoming nearly.....

L8r

Then we went out to Burry Port Folk Club. A couple of people said they missed me the few weeks since I have been so.....

With Ed

So Ed came in s'morning, caught up on sum paperwork then took me to Morrison's where I walked all the way around (a MOS commented on how well I was doing) got a smaller shop than usual.

Then I phoned that Toby and arranged to pick him up s'afternoon as I will be busy seeing my Financial Advisor when he usually comes on Tuesday. I have bought some pizza bases and mixture and he is gonna learn how to make them today

And he came round and made Pizza, from scratch. I had bought pizza bases etc he put it all together. It was lovely but in my fridge is ¼ of a pizza for lunch tomorrow. So I told Toby that I make pizza's from Naan bread and they are much more edible size

Quieter Day

Well TimMY came round s'morning, we have nowt on today but hopefully it won't be as disappointing as yesterday

And good lord but between us we are very clever sorting out obscure HTML crises, so now I get a noise if a gmail arrives on my phone, can read my blog on my phone etc. I haven't signed in to post from my phone yet but p'raps over the next few days if I am bored...

What A Day

Good lord, what a wasted day.

First of all TimMY came round and caught up with some paperwork while I looked at stuff on my PC. Then before lunch we set off to the cycling place in Cardiff. We stopped at a services after Swansea and had some lunch. We left the motorway and got into a traffic jam, if took us half an hour to travel the first mile. Which I didn't feel to bad about as it meant we had less time on the bicycle in the rain. Eventually we realised that TimMY had given me the wrong post code for my SatNav to be heading to and then as if by magic there was no traffic jam. We realised that we were gonna be too late for our session so phoned them and apologised.

Then went into the centre of Cardiff to the DM shop. And wow but I want a pair of pink Doctor Marten's but at £85 a pair and I need 2 pairs of different sizes I was a bit too tight fisted to buy any today. Dunno, perhaps in future I won't need a splint on my right foot, so one pair would be enough, wait and see

But I had no time for a nap this afternoon, I tried turning the radio off and shutting my eyes on the way back

Kindle-ing

And I am still gripped with my Kindle. In the past I used to like reading books, after my accident my right eye and right arm didn't work so it was too hard to read books for 8½ years, then I bought a Kindle and I am currently half way through the third Harry Potter book I have managed and I am loving it

Waverley

Then after we took Toby we just made it to Waverley, got the shopping. And as it was about 4.40 when we arrived I said "What time do you close?" expecting them to say "5" but the truth was 5.30 so we weren't that late

Toby

We were half way to Toby's house planning to take him to Kidwelly when he txted me and said "No need" so we nipped to the shop as we were out anyway

Then he txted us back and said "Are you still free", we took him later

TimMY

So Tim came round this morning. First of all we visited Carmarthen Museum which wasn't that exciting, but perhaps just for me

Then we went for an explore around Cwrt Henri where we lived years ago, when there were only 4 of us in the family, just to see it again. But the house that we had to leave because it was sold looks empty now

Then after lunch we nipped to Morrisons and bought more salad (and Sloe Gin) because I wanted it

Freya

Then Freya came over this afternoon. She phoned me earlier and said "No-one listens to me, we are all going to see Martin's mum tomorrow, can I see you today instead". And it was worth it

Ed-ding

So with Ed s'morning we went to Tesco's and bought some pizza bases (they might well have had some in Morrisons but the checking online system is very weak) for Toby to cook next week. We also nipped to Morrison's and bought some bog roll etc

Then later I went to the Gym where I was alone with Samantha and even tho I was mouthy I still did loads for myself too.

Then after a lunch here we went off to Morrisons and bought some kitchen scourers. I probably needn't have but I am trying to make next weeks shopping lists as small as poss. 'cos I will walk around the shop

Cool

And I was making movements on both sides tonight, it was well cool bit late

Feed Me

Then today we took the girl who missed last week because she was steering a sailing boat out for lunch.

We went to a St Clears place which is beautiful (if pricey) and they claim to support local businesses and Organic so I wan't to cheer

It's Fixed

And I tried the most modern version of Blogger tonight, like I have tried it every night for some weeks but tonight it worked

So hoo-flippin'-ray, dunno what the difference is but.... it works

Toby

Good lord. When I said "Help me" I actually meant Toby would say "Instruct me" and cook the whole dinner (which was lovely) by himself

And he agreed that next Tuesday I will be a bit busy what with financial reps coming so he'd better come and cook for me again on Monday

He seems pleased to be cooking for me as he needs to learn how to cook

And he seemed like a happier chappie again, yes there are some di*k*eads in his life but he seems to be getting above them

Paul

So with Paul first of all I got out the laptop and Skyped that Denyse who is mid-moving house ATM. Then we went to gym today, I was back after my day off and It was a relatively small group today but we did it. Doing leg exercises I can see how much better my legs are bending, generally moving.

So I will go for a nap now then that Toby is coming up and helping us cook Chilli Sin Carne

Headwaying

Then me and it was Ed still this week went to Headway. Again I didn't see the point...

And as we were leaving someone said to Ed "If you like those muffins I made you might as well take the last packet home" and when I got home he said "Here u go" to me.

VVVBG

Edding

So at 5 to 10 this morning the chirpodist arrived and said "I knew u would tell me off if I was late" then cut my toenails. Then Ed came and took me shopping in 2 places. Because I had a big list of veg I needed to cook with tomorrow I went to Waverley stores to buy as many organic as possible. Then we went to Morrison's where I walked everywhere but the first 50 yards. So tomorrow me and Toby are cooking a veggie chilli which he can take the left overs home with him