'Wimming

And Timmy arrived s'morning and said "Hooray, swimming today" so my "Trying to think of an excuse" has failed

And we went swimming again and it actually wasn't as bad as I expected. And I managed to dry my own back today, for the first time, towel in both hands and rub. AND I did 4 lengths today

Looking At...

Then tonight we went out looking at more houses. One was a definitely NO but the other was a definite possibility and we will contact the Estate Agent on Monday

Shopping 2, 3, 2

So we nipped to Morrisons and did my weeks shopping (which if it wasn't for the whiskey would cost about £6).

Then after we brought that home we went back out and bought more Persil and tooth cleaners (from a different, cheaper, shop). The Persil is even more concentrated than it was before, so use even less of it

And I walked all the way round Morrisons, until we had finished shopping, I wheelchaired to 'til then stood up again and walked back to the car

Learned

Yes, it's habit by now...

Got Up

And as I walked out of my bedroom s'morning I think we can say that Neil has learned to walk, I walked until I had my bath/nap, just gotta learn how to extend it

Dinner

& for dinner tonight I made my usual Saturday dinner of Roast Veg etc and it was nicer than I have managed before. It was neither raw or burned, it seems that 40 minutes on 220 followed by 20 mins at 200 (so we can cook the Linda McCartney sausages to accompany it<1>) was almost perfect for veg cut up like this

<1> 15 mins to cook, 5 mins beforehand to allow the oven to cool

Wales

And as we are in Wales today I can look out of the window and watch it rain

It has stopped raining now and while Ed cleaned inside the car I made some tea

Fredumpkins

Then Freya came over to see me, which was nice. We seemed to be in good form with each other although I left her alone for a bit to catch up on her coursework.

But cooking on a Friday?

Well in the oven tonight I had some sweet potato chips (cook for 35 minutes), some normal chips too (cook for 20 minutes), some Linda McCartney sausages for Gareth (cook 15 minutes) and 2 pizzas for me and Freya (cook 11 minutes). It was all delicious but what hassle putting it on, I was glad when the Pizzas went in and I could rest

Jeroo

Then we nipped into Gym for my class, gosh I can really see the difference, how much I am improving.

I am sick and tired of making the effort but the results are so worth it...

Aardvark-ing

And today I was wheelchaired to the door of Aardvark, as we didn't have time to walk, I parked outside and only came back when  had been everywhere and bought everything

Walking

I walked out of my bedroom again s'morning

Erm

And after my gym session my MOS said "You look fatigued" in a French accent.

So I wasn't sure if he meant "You look tired" or "You look like an obese homosexual" - "fatty-gay" is how I would spell his pronounciation

After lunch

Then at lunchtime the postman came with my new chip maker device, which I won't be using to make chips but we nipped to Morrisons later and bought a sweet potato that I will try tonight

And the f**king chip maker broke when we were first trying to make chips

Well the sweet potato chips were lovely once Paul had cut up the other half of the spud with a knife, lovely they were

Well they agreed to send me out a new blade and said "Sorry" when we phoned 'em s'morning. All helpful and nice, so.....

S'morning

So first thing today we had to go to the Dr with my sample of piss, the Diabetic Specialist. Basically she said all was looking good, my blood was cleaner than a month ago so now she is just putting me on a monitor list, no drugs

Homes

And we might have found another potential house to look at, I will show it to Paul tomorrow and then we can move forward on with viewing

ABI

It sucks, big style

Webcamming

And it occurred to me that I have a webcam on top of my PC but am clueless how/if it works and if the sound is audible. So "Timmy" came in with his laptop and did a bit of fettling then it worked. OK, dunno who I am gonna speak to but it is progress

'Wimming

And (hooray) we went swimming s'morning (after we had gone to the Docs to pick up my new asthma medication script). It was as much fun as usual but I did it, I managed

Out Walkies

And we are heading out now to meet Sara and go for a walk around the National Botanic Gardens

WOW. I am so much better. Sara said when she was first working with me I would walk a measured 10 yards outside my flat in the care center and would be exhausted and wheezing whereas today I walked the whole way up the hill at NBG

New One

And we headed into Carmarthen looking for new walking sticks (as everywhere is open again today). The old one is wearing out where we had to stick some gubbins over the metal parts on the end, but the new one is made of rubber so it works on all floors etc

Walkies - again

So muscle memory I walked again s'morning, haven't been in my wheelchair yet....

Farm Foods-ing

And we nipped down to Farm Foods to pick up more baking tatties and Linda McCartney. On reference I now know how much cheaper their oven chips are but I have a bag and a third here already, so next time.....

Walking - more

And s'morning I left my wheelchair by the bed, I haven't been driving it today. So I walked out with no FES fitted, just did it

Muscle memory is the best, cleverest function of my muscles

Muscle Memory

And I have been walking everywhere today with no FES on and my right foot isn't turning over. Gosh, isn't muscle memory a bit special?

Out For Cuppa

Then s'evening we were bored so decided to head off for a brew. We thought "Carmarthen, where?" so we headed west to St Clears and called in the the Little Chef where we were the only customers for most of the time it took to drink my brew

&About

So s'afternoon we went looking for a "thing for the end of a walking stick" shop but they were all closed.

We finished the trip by going to More Reasons To Shop At.... and doing my weeks shopping a day early

Hairy

And as Gareth was putting cream on my legs he said "Look" and my hairs, which have been absent since my accident have started to come back, big style

Neglected

So last night he forgot to put my "sockings" on me, so I slept with free ankles last night and I still got up and walked s'morning.

Lets hear it for muscle memory

Breakfast seems to be a new habit

And I walked into the kitchen again s'morning, it seems to be a new habit

Even tho I was walking unsupported....

Trip Out

Then later we headed over to Laugharne looking for the Dylan Thomas celebrations. Which we didn't find but it was a nice day out

Walkies

And I got up, parked my wheelchair and walked into breakfast again

And lunch too, see the photos

Grating

So I got out my grating machine tonight and was eventually through about a third of the cheese we need tonight. As I bought the grater when my right arm wasn't well enuf to grate I thought "Lets try it again" So I got the grater out and found that my right arm is now well enuf to do the other two thirds of the cheese in half the time I had been using the machine
--

Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

Gym Crisis

So we went to gym, I left my wheelchair in t'car and walked in. When we were there they signed us in etc downstairs and didn't tell us that the class was cancelled. We headed towards it only to meet someone who told us. So we swore a bit and headed upstairs to do some gym anyway. Half was there a passer by kicked my walking stick and I nearly fell over. Thankfully Timmy was being extra alert as the last passer by had almost kicked my sick so as he was alert he caught me by the shoulders and kept me from hitting the ground.

After that I just didn't have it in me but I did 10 minutes cycling then headed home, a long walk out to t'car then a drive home

More Two Feet

So I was walking again s'morning

Writing Text On Pictures

And last night I finally figured out how to put the piece of txt I was placing on jpg's(©) exactly where I want it, not just nearby. "Preview" then put it exactly where you want it

We're Off

And instead of going Aardvarking s'morning I have gotta go to t'hospital and have some blood tests done, so dunno when we are gonna shop, later today at a guess

Wow, so at hospital there was no-one else waiting so we were seen after 5 minutes and she took my 2 blood samples in about 4 minutes. This time there was no "No blood coming out" crisis she just did it (painlessly) and we were finished

Then we were able to nip to Aardvark and do my shopping (on my own two feet again) and were home before 12, the gym session is at 1

Hooray....

... hooray the first of May, outdoor sex begins today

Gym-ing

And we nipped down to t'gym today. Yesterday we were MOTing the car and Tuesday there was a staff meeting so he was extra keen today and made sure I did it all

Looking

Then we went out and looked for another chair for the dining roon, with wheels and brakes. In the disability shop they said £2000+ and in the proper furniture shop they said "Naah" so we didn't buy one

Sara-less

And Sara - the physio phoned me s'morning and said "Sorry, my car has broken down, won't make it today", so weeping bitter tears etc

Walkies

So s'morning I got up, got on my wheelchair, travelled to the end of the hall, parked it, walked to the loo on my own two feet, then walked into the kitchen/dinette and prepared breakfast on my own two feet

Nowt

So we did nowt at gym today as we were sitting waiting to get the car back but as it all went well we will be back tomorrow, as usual

Shopping

Then later we nipped out and bought 3 more lighting up things to replace the one in the front garden which needs fixing

MOTing

So they contacted me last week and said "Bring your car in for MOT" we phoned them, they said "No need" but eventually they realised that my car needs MOTing last week, so today I have got to take it in. Dunno how successful it will be, if it is OK they will let me keep it for 3 years (cheaper) but if it is wonky they will insist on me having a new car. Denyse will phone them on Friday to find out

And I think it went well today, he said everything was fine so hopefully they will let me keep it

Meeting

So there is a big meeting here today, my quarterly team meeting, so all my MOSs are coming here, Denyse has to do checkups on some of them then she will approach my list

Good Night's Sleep

Another one, so I got up at 7.30 I was bored lying awake....

Wimming

Then we nipped off to the Leisure Centre to go swimming, up and down we went, as much fun as can be expected but today I climbed out without and scared grips etc, that proves to me that I am getting better

OK usually I climbed up the steps one at a time, just holding onto the rail but when I reached the top I had to step up further to reach the edge so I would bend over and grip the support further down, on the upwards section, so I was nearly bent double. No need today

Shopping

So first thing s'morning we nipped into Morrisons to get a few items. Today I walked from the car to the shop, all way round and back to the car

In the shop we passed some strangers who said "Hello" and "Nice to see you walking, keep it up" which wa nice

Obsessed?

And I am still watching the snooker even tho it finished on't telly hours ago....

Now the streaming link won't work but it's on the red button.....

Phew

And my eye was working OK today after nap, so dunno

Scary

And after my nap s'afternoon I couldn't see a small bit at the middle of my eye. I could see most stuff but around the centre there was a blurry flashing bit, I couldn't read what time it was from my watch eg. Panic, panic, panic but Ed said "Wait and see" and within an hour my vision is almost back to normal

I couldn't read which was the most scary thing, I communicate via email, a visual medium

And it seems he was right, an hour later and my vision was nearly as good as new and in the couple of hours since it has fixed itself

EdWeena

So Ed came in s'morning, said "Hello" and within 4 minutes had sorted all my email issues and said "Learn to live with it so....."

Gymming

Then we went to my gym class, the only one I attend now. As usual it was hard work but, as usual, I can tell how much better I am this week

Aardvarking

And we nipped to Aardvark s'morning and did my weeks shopping. It was fine and dandy.......

Email Crisis

So my email stopped working last night, we had to phone BT and they said "Hacker", then we went out and about to gym etc s'morning then phoned again and they said "What are ur details, fairy nuff, new password is.... it may take a few mins to come thru" then 10 minuted later I recieved 150 emails from last night and today

Then today we went to gym where Paul took loadsa pics because I am doing stuff so differently than last time he was there then we nipped to the Chemist to get my "sockings". First time they said "Chemist is out and I am not qualified to hand you this, apparently" so we nipped to The Parrot and had a coffee then went back and got handed my parcel

So I walked into gym and into The Parrot

Force Of Habit

So I was sitting in my now unusual wheelchair in't kitchen having a brew, I went to move off and reached down to release the break.

Oh, that's the brake on my other not pushing very far chair that I have been using for a couple of days

Knee Hurting

And I notice today that my right knee is hurting somewhat when I walk so I think I should take it easy today, a relaxing kind of day

And if I try to bend my right knee while I walk it is much slower concentrating to walk but it disnae hurt

Aargh

And my email is broken and TechnoTimmy isn't here 'til next Tuesday

Unreal Progress

I can't even tell you how much progress I am making ATM

Wimming

And we went swimming s'morning and I didn't dislike it as much as usual. But doing the "lifting" exercises with the dumbells I couldn't help thinking "My right arm/wrist is straight!!!!!!!!!" I can't believe how much better my wrist is

& About

 And we popped out again today, to the disability aids shop,  and I did so much walking....

Gymming

And as it's the school holidays so not so busy either with groups of kids or their parents we went to gym at about 11.30 s'morning. We got there, I walked from the car park into the building, thru and up to exercise room, did my weights and the cycle then walked back as far as the car, got in and sat down. Walked the whole way

Disorientated

And when I woke up s'morning I thought I was still in the hotel at SoS.

Most disorientating

I Did

I did recall, I did walk

Walkies

So s'morning I got off my ar*e and walked when I needed the loo etc, I parked my wheelchair across the room from my PC and walked to the other seat that was there

Then we went shoppng which I used my 'chair for then parked it again when we got back. Into the kitchen at lunchtime on my own two feet. 
I can do it, it's just telling my brain to remember

God Botherer Day

And as it's Easter Monday the Leisure Centre is closed so I cannot (woe is me) go swimming

More Reasons....

And we nipped to Morrisons and got my usual small shop from there

Timmy Queries

And we had sorted out all my Timmy PC queries quickly s'morning and he told me how to add 😀

Visitor and I haven't even finished my coffee

So I was drinking my coffee after my breakfast s'morning when a car pulled up outside. It was my brother David, on his way back to the ferry who called in for 20 minutes

Oops

And as it was getting late tonight (like 9.45) I started to feel really knackered, like I haven't slept in my own bed for 2 nights.......

Diner Had, back in the routine.....

Well I am starting to think that SoS may have been rather good. So :-)

So we had out usual Saturday dinner tonight, roast veg which was as lovely as usual. I have experimented with setting smaller pics by height not width which works rather well. 

Chairless

And today has provided evidence of how I should ditch my wheelchair when I get home, but then I need to read this so I can't forget
--

Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

Walked

And I walked everywhere in Hay s'morning, everywhere
--

Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

Still here

__

Sent from my iPad

We're here

We are here, having a good time
--


Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

Together

And s'morning we discovered that with my sockings that on my right leg the FES and the socking fit together. We nipped out and he checked my leg afterwards and it was OK so now I know I can wear them both together

Shoppididodaah

So s'morning we checked all my stuff for going away then went shopping as it is delivery day at Aardvark, so we bought somee but less, it will be in my fridge for a few days b4 I use it
--

Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

SoSing

So I am off in a bit to the Ixion do.....

Late peeing

So I didn't wake up for a pee at half three last night, not until half seven. Is summit improving or didn't I drink enuf yesterday?
--

Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

What a morning

So first of all we went to the Drs and picked up my script for more stocking/socks, then to the chemist to order them then we drove miles to the hospital in Swansea to see some experts about my FES, I told them what a difference it was making and they were pleased.

Then we nipped to Farmfoods on the way home and came back to have a late lunch

But when I was at the Drs I was able to walk back out, across the car park and down the steep slope to the chemist, and back with no problem

Grumble

Then we went off swimming. And the shower in the disabled changing room works again. As usual I did loadsa exercises

Studying My Sleep

Then last night I actually wore my sleep study stuff which was a bit strange but I have done it. Wait and see if they give me some advice

Apparently I should be known as Normal Neil which is good, at a guess

Ooh

And Paul impressed me again (I know....) by fixing the outdoor string of butterfly lights. They were working until we lifted them yesterday to mow, since then only 1 bulb, next to controler was working. He checked along all of it, I said "No, it must be here" and in the end he found a piece of broken wire where I said. So scissors, pressing into place, insulating tape to cover the gap and all the lights light up again

In Hossie

Then s'afternoon I had to go to hospital to get given some equipment to monitor my breathing overnight. Then Paul will take it back in't morning.

If they think there is an issue with my breathing they will then take action, apparently an oxygen cylinder and some pipes up the nose is likely

Emergency muesli shopping

So last week as they had no Organic Delux Muesli in stock I bought a small bag of normal which ran out s'morning. As we were on the way to Aardvark we saw the Essentials lorry pulling away sojust in time

I walked the whole way from Wilkinsons car park the whole way to Aardvark and then stood up and waited for them to weigh out what we needed

Then we went into Wilkinsons and bought a garden rake because when "he" cut the grass yesterday it left some bits behind

Fixing

And today Paul is getting stuck into fitting handles to my dining room chair so I can pull it closer to table etc. The ones that me and Alex bought yesterday but Alex bottled out and wouldn't fit them. But Paul is coming across as less scared...
--

Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

Animation

So about 27 hours after I started I suddenly thought "Ahhh..." so now we have an animated version of a page with 2 pics in.

New Socks

And tonight, for the first time, I am wearing my new socks/stockings combo, it feels a bit strange (different) but I think they will actually do my legs more good and actually stay in position on my knees. If I get on with them I will have to contact the Dr and ask for another pair

Counting

So I was in bed just counting because... dunno why but I was. But if my memory was gone (like it was) I wouldn't be able to remember that eg 30 came after 29. What a thought...

Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

Shopping

And we went to Morrison's and did our half a weeks shopping (as I am going to SoS on Friday) but mental issues and I bought a whole weeks Blueberries

Early Bird

So Alex  came in at 8AM s'morning as Ed is off to nursing early.

I haven't even had breakfast yet...

Phew, I have now... 

Pink

Good lord, pink is my favourite colour

Cutting

And as my barber MOS was in here today (unusually) I had a going to SoS haircut

Sore Leg

And as I was trying to make my right knee bend more yesterday, to ease my walking, today it hurts more when I walk at all

Shopping

So today me and Timmy had to go to the Ex-Tesco shop now Wilkinson's in Carmarthen. There he had to buy (with my petty cash card) a new shredder to shred paper before throwing it away, and I bought some Toilet Duck loo keeper clean and weed killer for the garden

Walking

And as I am trying to walk better I have been exercising my right leg. But it just won't move forward from the ankle so everyone who sees me walk says "Straight leg" but I can't help it, it just won't bend

And Timmy says it is much more complex than that, it is because my......... ged nose, sorry, np, perhaps attached to, somehow because the connections are well complex, attached to my ABI

Next

Then, on the way to Aardvark, we had to pop into the Doctors and get the 'script for my new shorter stockings(1). AND we had to ask for a urine sample bottle (or piss bottle as I phrased it) so I can take one to the diabetic Dr next week

(1) And they took the script off my in the chemist and said "Should be in on Monday"

Then we finally made it to Aardvark. Where, again, I left my chair outside, walked up and down the slopey bit to the back room, bought loadsa fruit and veg etc then stood, queued to pay, all on my own two feet

Tonight we had pizza made with half stuff
from there and as ever it was delicious.
But tonight we had it with sweet potato chips which
were equally nice but a pain to lift after cooking 

Looking

Then, as soon as she had left, we went out to look at the next house, just over the main road then immediately turn left so not far away. I thought it was nice, but it needed some work and there is a step in both back and front so perhaps not that nice after all

Toenail Cutter

And the chiropodist came and made a big difference to my right big toe, she cut it all back but now there is a kind of scar where it has rubbing for ages but it is no longer rubbing, I am so grateful.

She cut my other nine toes too but this one was the difference

Gosh

A busy day and after watching her being honoured in school we had a dinner with Freya which I still had to buy even tho it was my birthday