wagwaan?

Olympic Fever

What a fantastic weekend!  Team GB is winning so many medals, it must surely be the best tally we've ever had. Saturday night we watched as Jessica Ennis, Greg Rutherford and Mo Farah all won Gold within less than an hour, then yesterday afternoon (having missed an epic Tennis final where Andy Murray beat Roger Federer to Gold) we watched Andy and team-mate Laura Robson take Silver. They really dominated in the first set! After that, we watched the athletics and saw Christine Ohuruogo win Silver as well.  

The finale of the night, of course, was watching the magnificent Usain Bolt retain his title of fastest man in the world, with team-mate Yohan Blake a close second. No Team GB member in that race, of course, but what a line-up.

I think it's just fabulous that all Gold medal winners are being given their own commemorative stamps:

I must say, when it was announced we'd won the Olympic bid for 2012, I was not looking forward to it - only thinking of how awful it would be to get around London at the time. I now happily admit I was wrong to not think about how fantastic it would be for sport and for our city!

The weekend already?

Oops I didn't realise I hadn't posted since Tuesday. Where the days go I really don't know...  I'm relishing the quiet of the house, and I would be out in the garden right now but it's the Women's Final at Wimbledon so I'm half watching that. 

Yesterday I had some visitors over for coffee - Beth and Simon brought Alex to see me. I can't believe how much he's grown; he's 9 months and crawling and investigating all over the place. We had to move stuff out of his reach because it's been a long time since my house was childproof. He's more adorable than ever and he really liked my little camera buddy that I have in the hot shoe of my SLR to attract the attention of little ones:

I can't claim I invented this, but I saw it years ago on the internet and made one for myself with Claire's Easter pez dispenser. I ended up giving it to him and he spent quite a lot of time stuffing it in his mouth. He also discovered one of my Californian Starbucks cards that was on the coffee table (that I still haven't blogged about, sorry Maria!), and turned it over and over in his hands, like he found it the most fascinating thing on the planet. 

(Alex grabbing onto me to get his balance).

We had a lovely chat and I got some cuddles with the Boy. He even leaned in for some kisses, which I felt very honoured by. 

I need to get cracking on the editing of the others I took of him; if Beth agrees, I'll pop one of his funny face pictures on here another time. 

Bon weekend à tous !

New banner and other stuff

Yes, I finally made a new banner. Something nice and summery, I'm sure you'll agree! In honour of Wimbledon lol. 

I took this picture

and was inspired by its summery feel.  

This morning I spent some time in the garden before the weather turns on us. I spent ages grooming the cat with this special rubber brush I have that literally rips the fur from his undercoat. I tend not to do it indoors because the fluff flies everywhere, but outside, with him rolling around in the grass in appreciation, it's not a problem. In fact I'm pretty sure the birds are happy for the fluff to line their nests with. I'm telling you, I could have knitted a ginger jumper with the amount of fur I got off him today. He must be boiling hot, poor thing. 

Then I thought, I know, it's such a novelty to have laundry on the line, I'll take a picture to document it...

I do love my new "soft grip" pegs - doesn't take a lot to make me happy, eh?

OOh while I've been doing this, Marion Bartoli has beaten Serena Williams!  Go Frenchy!!  It was a great match. She just said to the interviewer "beating Serena Williams is like a dream come true". Awww.

What else? Oh yes, here is a rather wonky picture of my new office space (I just can't get a straight one and I promise I haven't been drinking!).

Over the weekend, Claire helped me to bring my bureau down from upstairs where it was in a corner on the landing and I rejigged all the computer bits and cables to set it up. This way, I'm hoping to switch off properly when I've finished working on the PC, by putting the monitor on top and closing the desk flap. The drawers below are also very handy for putting all my bits and bobs from the various projects I have going on at the moment. It'll  hopefully be much neater than it has been. I've put the modern computer desk on Freecycle and I hope someone wants it, or I'll have to dismantle it and lug it round to the Oxfam furniture shop... which is where I got the bureau a few years ago. I'd always wanted one (my mum has one) and when I saw this I snapped it up thinking I'd paint it. So far it's remained au naturel and I think I might just leave it now. I rather like my desktop picture of an m&m heart that I think I blogged ages ago. And I found the perfect place for my vision board too.  It feels all cosy now!

Right, I'm off for a little rest - after I've rescued the clothes: rain is forecast in about half an hour!

^_^

This is for SR, who asked to see the new "do".  It's not that different, really. Just slightly shorter and spikier on top, although it's not that apparent from this picture.

Although I took it in the mirror, I flipped it so I look more or less how you would see me, if that makes sense. I realise I'm going greyer and greyer, but that's ok. I never coloured my hair before because of my scalp psoriasis, and when I tried recently with some non-permanent colour it just made the grey bits look yellow and nasty, so I'm going to just let it do its thang.  

That was this morning, before I spent 2 hours at the Job Centre with the disability employment consultant. I'm not disabled in the way most people understand the word, but as I'm in receipt of the ESA since my little brain frazzle last year, the Government want to make sure I try and find some kind of work at some point. The lady I saw was lovely - she said it was her last day; the new Government are doing a big shake-up and who knows what's going to happen next; she doesn't even know if she'll still have a job in a few months, but she was obliged to see all the people who had been referred to her before 21st April.  We talked about how hard it is to come to terms with being changed through illness, and also about any help that will be forthcoming for me to become self-employed.  She was really sweet and, although I was yawning my way through the interview, I felt understood and supported. 

I got the bus home and had an early lunch, then tried to nap. I was sooo tired but I couldn't fall asleep. So annoying when that happens!  I finished my book and Claire and I are going to watch the movie soon.  I have to say, and this is just my personal opinion, but I really, really enjoyed the read. Maybe it's because I'm in a particularly spiritual frame of mind lately. Anyway, for me, it gets a big thumbs up.  I suppose it's good that we don't all like the same things, right? The world would be a pretty boring place otherwise!

And just before I sign off, here's an oldie for you: a pic of the OH landing after paragliding from the top of a mountain in the Pyrenees. Gosh, it's a few years ago now, but I have such good memories of that trip to see my sis and her family! Happy times, lots of laughter, it seems a lifetime away from the stresses of more recent weeks and months....  (where was it Caro - Bagnères de Luchon ?).

(photo is of a digital layout I did way back when I was still scrapbooking...)

Starting as we mean to go on

I don't usually do "New Year's Resolutions" because I tend to make goals throughout the year anyway. However, both Claire and I were ready to get back into the habit of exercising and eating healthily as soon as Christmas was over, so we're concentrating on that right now. It's a nice feeling, to feel in control again, I must say.

First off, I went into town today to spend a voucher I received for Christmas. I knew exactly what I wanted as I have had my eye on it for ages: a family-sized George Foreman grill.  One of the local shops had it for half its retail price, i.e. only £29.99 instead of £59.99, and I was just hoping they hadn't sold out. Luckily for me, they hadn't. That's my kind of shopping: know what you want, know where it is, go to shop, pick off shelf, go and pay.  Perfick.  And we used it to cook chicken breasts for dinner. Chicken and runner beans (I'd already used up my carb allowance) - delicious. 

Meanwhile, our furry friend was ensconced in his favourite spot on the landing, near the radiator, where it's nice and warm.

(hmm not brilliant iPhone pic - should have used the SLR)

Later, Claire and I went to the local gym/pool - Claire to sign up and start an exercise programme; me to test out the Aqua Jogging belt that my sister-in-law gave me when she last visited. It's brilliant!  First of all, the pool was empty because most people probably thought it was closed on a Bank Holiday Monday. Second of all, you get a full workout whilst feeling weightless. Mindful of the infamous "pacing", I did a few lengths and then floated on my back to relax for a minute, and then kept going. Unfortunately I got a cramp after about 20 minutes, and just had to get out, but that was probably enough for a first time anyway.  I really intend to keep it up, but it's usually the finances (or lack thereof) that get in the way of my good intentions...

Anyway, that's me done for the night. Do you make New Year's Resolutions? Any you'd like to share?  Nite nite :)

 

 

Busy busy busy

When did I last post? I have no idea, but I am conscious of not having turned on the computer much this week. It was one of those weeks with lots of appointments and things to do. The GP has signed me off for a further two months with "neuropsychiatric complications of subarachnoid haemorrhage" - he said he was laying it on thick so the "powers that be" get the message. Should I worry about the use of the term "neuropsychiatric" I wonder?  I joke about it, but it's actually not that funny. I'm finally, with the help of the neuropsychologist, coming to terms with my limitations. I know, I know, I've said this before (repeatedly, apparently!), but I don't think I really accepted that I was not the same person as before the haemorrhage. I'm sorry if it's repetitive - feel free to switch off or just skip to the next paragraph.  It's as if by writing it over and over again it'll sink in... I'll just copy and paste a couple of bits from the Brain & Spine Foundation website, because they explain better than me how I'm feeling:

Emotions

Many people find it difficult coming to terms with having had an SAH. You might feel depressed, tearful, angry or anxious for no apparent reason. These feelings can be physical (related to what has happened to your brain), emotional (a reaction to the traumatic experience), or both. Many of these changes are temporary and will improve over time. 
(...)
As time goes by, it can be hard to express and explain to others how you feel and how you have changed, especially as you might appear to have recovered physically. This can lead to feelings of isolation. 
(...)

Feelings and worries

It is natural to feel anxious and to worry about the future, especially when you are back at home. (...)
It can be difficult recovering from such a major life event. The first few weeks and months can be a very intense time and you might find that friends and family treat you differently. Everybody has different ways of coping. 
If you are struggling to come to terms with what has happened it might be helpful to keep a simple diary of your thoughts and your physical recovery. This will also help you to record how you are improving as time passes. 

See, everyone's telling me to write everything down; even my GP said to me this week "Do you write? You strike me as someone who would keep a journal" - Hmmm is that a compliment I wonder?

Meanwhile, World Cup fever has gripped the nation. I've surprised myself by actually getting quite excited by the whole thing and actually watching matches of my own volition. Of course, England's first two matches were dire but they made up for it in the third one and scraped through to the next round. The French team, however, disgraced themselves so the less said about that whole saga the better. 

And now, we have the joy of Wimbledon coverage. For once I actually have the luxury of being at home and therefore able to watch the matches, which I've only been able to do at weekends previously.  To mark the occasion, we got some strawberries the other day and well, what better way to eat them than with Cornish vanilla ice cream, I ask you?!

 

(iPhone picture)

So there you have it. I'm still working on proof-reading a friend's translations from the Spanish, and I've got rather behind on them, so I'd better go off and do some more now. Ciao :)  
 

Is it really June?

I mean, I know we've had some nice weather recently, but you really wouldn't think it was the start of Wimbledon on Monday with the weather we've had today. It's not toooooo bad out, but it's absolutely freezing and my toes will just not warm up! I'm wearing trousers and a jumper for goodness sake!

Anyway, this is what Lyle thought of Dr Who tonight:

 

Bless him! He's such a cuddly thing. He was stretching and digging his claws in the back of the sofa, and enjoying tummy rubs. The other night this is what he thought of the football...

 

Funny boy!  (pics from the iPhone - if I get up to go and get a camera he'll move...)

On another note, I saw that Sarah Von was looking for people to interview. Although I didn't fit into any of the categories she had thought of, I emailed her to ask if she'd be interested in my SAH story. She said it was right up her street, so I've answered her questions and maybe it'll make an appearance on her blog, yesandyes, one day. I'll keep you posted :)

Right, I'm off to make myself another cup of coffee in an attempt to warm up. Brrrrr.

 

 

Disappointment

The football has been very disappointing: France last night and England tonight. Very bad. Not that I'm an expert or even a football fan or anything. It's just that I like to cheer my national teams, you know....

A bloodthirsty anthem

I knew I had something I wanted to blog about!  When watching the World Cup the other day with Claire and singing along LOUDLY (tunelessly??) to the Marseillaise, I said I really must blog about this - people don't realise how bloodthirsty the French national anthem is. So here you have it - a translation I found on a website because I couldn't be bothered to do it myself!

Arise children of the fatherland

The day of glory has arrived

Against us tyranny's

Bloody standard is raised

Listen to the sound in the fields

The howling of these fearsome soldiers

They are coming into our midst

To cut the throats of your sons and consorts

To arms citizens 

Form your battalions

March, march

Let impure blood

Water our furrows

I wonder how you feel about our cheerful anthem now?!  

(if you want to know more, and see how it gets even more bloodthirsty in the following verses, go here). As for me, I'm off to watch tonight's match and hope that France score some goals this time!

Back to normal

It's nice to feel human again!  The cold is (more or less) gone, and so is the tiredness, and the week ended on a high because Claire and I went out to have a Slimming World dinner with our outgoing SW consultant. That's "outgoing" in the sense that she's leaving the role, but it can also be in the sense that she is bubbly and fun too!  We had a lovely time, it was us, Beth, another lady from SW called Trish, and Beth's husband. Well, he had to be there really, seeing as it was his house and he did half the cooking lol.  We enjoyed ourselves so much that we decided we should rotate and have it at someone else's house next time. 

Saturday was spent mostly doing many loads of laundry - I am not sure how dirty washing multiplies so fast, but it does. Then Claire and I popped out to Boots for a few necessities. When we are in Boots, Claire always wants to go past the Chanel counter for a quick squirt of perfume. My signature "parfum" is No. 5, which I absolutely adore, and Claire loves it too because it reminds her of me. She's sweet like that.   While we there we spied the brushes and paraphernalia of the make-up artist and I asked how much for a makeover. Imagine our delight when the lady said it was free and that the Chanel person would in fact be there this coming Monday!  I signed up for a "do over" first, then the lady asked Claire if she'd like one, so now we are BOTH having our faces done tomorrow - Claire in the morning and me at 4pm. How exciting! 

I've just finished watching Dancing on Ice, and I'll be tuning in for the skate-off later. It's only early in the competition and there are already some very good skaters. I used to skate. I was taking figure skating lessons when I damaged my cruciate ligaments when I was 18. My knee has never been the same since! I still enjoy the sport immensely, but what with the arthritis and being overweight I'm really hesitant about falling and hurting myself.  Can't wait for the Vancouver Olympics in February because there'll be plenty of skating then - and it's around my birthday too so I get to choose what we watch mwahahaha!

Talking of my birthday, this year it's a BIG one. One with a zero on the end.... And the other half's birthday is exactly 11 days later, and his is also a BIG one, albeit with a lower  number if you get my drift. He keeps me young.  I hate parties but I do like family get-togethers and I'm just sorry we can't afford to get over to France for one this time. Oh well, maybe later on in the year? We shall see. Now I just have to think of what to get the OH. Yikes!

Well, that's enough waffle.  Hope you are having a peaceful Sunday wherever you are, ready for the week ahead. I'm going to try and post some actual photos tomorrow *smile*  Nite nite all!