Why do itches move?

Do you ever have an itch that just won't be scratched?
Many a night I have a itch on my back that itches with an intensity that would drive you mad if it wasn't scratched straight away. Of course the itch is just out of reach and I have to ask Andy to scratch it. Andy seems to takes his time and some times I sure on purpose, pretending not to know where the itch is.
I could do with some kind of grid tattooed on my back, so I can say go straight to G5 and when it move I can give more direction A7-F2-B9 and so on.
But what makes the itching sensation and why does the itch move? I have had a look on the web all that I can find is a skin irritation eg: allergy, rash, lose skin extra will cause the itch, well nothing we don't already know.
This still hasn't answered my question, why a itch moves. So if any one has a idea I would be intrsted to know.

Viv' & John's wedding day

Vivyan our eldest daughter was married last Saturday.It was wonderful to see her and her new husband look so happy. They had four gorgeous bridesmaids, Jane and Ruth our other two daughters, Rachel Johns sister and Viv's best friend Cat from Uni. Vivyan looked so beautiful I know I'm bias being her mother but she filled the room with her stunning yet understated dress and a smile that said how much see was enjoying every moment. The love between her and john was plain to see, and really pulled at your heart stings.

A run out in the peaks.

We had a run out into the Peak District to look at the autumn colours.
But the colours looked at me.

My Mum-in-law (Sylvia)came to stay for the weekend, and we thought it might be nice to go out and see the beautiful colours of the trees and nowhere better than the Peak District with its wild hills and crags.

The day started with us taking Sylvia and my Mum to Ruth's house for lunch. Then we all piled into our car for the countryside. We were spellbound by the beautiful scenery and the autumn colour was spectacular. On our way back we stopped for a drink in a lovely pub who sold real ale. Shame it was so far from home I think we could have stayed for a beer session.

As we came out and walked through the car park I had one of my sudden headaches. These headaches are I think caused through the Arnold Chiari, and come on with out any warning.
We hadn't gone far when Andy thought we had gone past our turning and gone the wrong way.
I said: there's a lay-by there, may be you can turn around in it?
Andy: Oh that's good. ( he pulls into what seemed a perfectly ok pull-in. Bang!.
The car had found a big pot hole that had been filled with water and covered with leaves. I got out of the car).
Me: we found a pot hole, I said feeling the worst from my head ache.
Andy:: I hope its not done too much damage? Can we get out?
Me: Yes. (I was going on to say . If you turn your wheel far right and that should do it. But let me move out of the way first. You guessed it, he didn't hear a word of that. The car wheels spun and scooped up large quantities of wet slimy, but not too smelly mud.
I was covered from head to foot. On the bright side Andy got out of the pot-hole).
Andy, got out of the car.
Me: thinking he's coming to see if I'm ok .
Andy said: are we out? (looking down at the car wheel).
Me, covered in mud: Yes darling we are out, how about giving me a little kiss.
Andy, Looking up at me trying not to laugh too much: Oh sorry darling.( whipping the mud away from my mouth and giving me a kiss).
Me: I told you not to move straight away.
Andy: I never heard you.

The back of the car My Mum, Sylvia and Ruth thought it was very funny. Mum passed me a little handkerchief, a lot of use that was. It was just like what you would see in a old Laurel and Hardy sketch. Where Hardy would clear his eyes with his fingers then flick the mud to the floor. It was funny though and the mud did cool my head a little. Around twenty miles later we were home and the mud had started to dry and flake off as I walk down the path to the house. As I stripped off in the kitchen, I couldn't believe that the mud had found it's way right down into my bra and some was even on my belly, nice!

The same as a bin lorry.

Our grand children have been down today. Finlay (two and a half) the oldest was sat on my knee, we were just talking about stuff. When I thought this is an opportunity to find out what to get him for Christmas.
My mum has bought him a big bin lorry for Christmas and I know he will love it. Andy and my self have seen a big fire engine and a helicopter, we were not sure which to get.

Me: Which do you like best, a helicopter or a fire engine?
Finlay: Fire engine.
Me: Which do you like most, a fire engine or a bin lorry?
Finlay: bin lorry.
Me: What do you like the most a bin lorry or Grammar?
Finlay: (without to much hesitation) Bin lorry.
Me: Which do you love the most, a bin lorry or Grandad?
Finlay: (after much thought he came to his conclusion) The same.

It's nice to where we stand, it serves me right for asking. At least we know what to buy him, unless we get a digger!.

The plumber's testicles!

I was laid in bed this morning doing a sudoku puzzle when a knock came to the door. It was the plumber, he had come to fix our shower. We had a shower fitted about a month ago and it stopped working last weekend.
Here comes a rant. Why o why when you buy something new do you either have to take it back because its faulty or there's something missing? in this case it worked for a few weeks then the b**!!%^&* stopped working. In the last couple of weeks we have bought a, no correction, two free standing draws for the bathroom. First set from the vastly going down the hill Argos. A two draw set with rattan draws, the cabinet would have fallen over if you sneezed any where near it, the rattan draws were plastic, the wood part of the cabinet was covered in scratches and it smelt wicked! The second set from Wilkinson's much better made from split bamboo in a wooden frame and ready assembled, But once again had a broken draw had to go back to be replaced. We bought new curtains for the hall and landing (isn't landing a odd word for the top of the stairs? I suppose you could say you have landed on top of the stairs after walking up, but landing imply you have flown up and landed on. But what should it be called? a got there? on the finish? upstairs hall, who knows). Back to the curtains, they had a tie back missing. lastly a wooden jigsaw for the grandchildren, we put it together to check it, not because we are big kids, yeah right! it had a piece broken and the edges were tatty on a couple of bits aaaaaaaaaaaar and grrrrrrrrrr.
Back to the plumber, who seemed very nice and chatty. It was so funny listening to Andy and him talk to each other. Golf came up and " I haven't played well this year me neither, last year I got a 8? me too. then came Plumber: I got an hernia. Andy: how long have you had that, I bet it's painful. Plumber: Yeah it is. About a month, they treat me for wind at first and gave me Gaviscon, then I went back to the doctor's and said it getting worse. He then went on to describe the conversation between him and the doctor. Plumber to Andy: it hurts all around here, and right down to my tes-tic-ules, he said testicles in a very clear and comically correct, except for a pronounced 'u'. At this point Andy was worried he was going to show him where it hurt. It sound bad but I had all on not to laugh out loud. And no one should laugh at a mans painful 'tes-tic-ules'.

the price of porridge

As you know I had a relapse back in February and I haven't been able to go to the supermarket shopping since until a few days ago.
Andy went to do the half weekly shop and I tagged along. I needed shampoo, hair dye and body moisturizer, Andy would get it for me but I wanted the right stuff. No disrespect to Andy, but it can be a mine field for women buying this stuff.
I didn't want to go in the wheel chair so I walked some of the way around, as it would have been to far to much for me to go all the way. But what an eye opener, every thing seems to have doubled in price. When we got to the porridge I couldn't find the home brand I have at 35p a bag, it was there but in different packaging and now 69p that's a 100% raise! and it didn't stop there every thing has gone up at least 50%, how in just eight months? Andy must have got fed up with me saying look at the price of that, how much!
Something else, all these so called half price deals, the supermarket doubles the price on the items then halves it and then promotes it as half price! how stupid do they think we are? I think I should stay at home, or go on TV as one of the grumpy old women, and get payed for it, perhaps then I can afford the porridge.

Max the demented cat.

Max on a good day.


Cats can develop dementia when they get older. Both our cats are showing signs, but Max is really losing it. He's always had some problems reaching back to when he was a kitten, he had cat flu and meningitis, this left him with 'learning difficulties'. He's never caught a bird, his idea of stalking is to bounce up the garden like tigger out of winnie the pooh, and looks surprised when they fly off. He's even been known to run down the garden path wetting him self when a black bird has chased him, what a woos!

Over the last couple of years he has started needing nursing more, which is good. But on the other hand he has started for no reason to bite me, which isn't so good.
He sprays up and down the garden even the pond gets it. This behavior he has brought into the house luckily not as much, Andy's computer screen and in the hall are his favorit places,'nice'.
This the cat does apparently because they forget where they are and how to get back home, and the sent trail helps them to find their way back. (Wicked thought, may be next time he goes out I could have the garden disinfected and he might not find his way back, bad lynda bad, bad girl).
You dare not go up to him to give him a stroke in case he scratches you. I recently had a scratch from him that left a large cut in the palm of my hand. He was sat on a chair looking more out of it than usual, (he always looks like the only thing going through his head is white noise)I gave him a gentle stroke he spun upside down in terror and attacked me.

He comes in through the cat flap in the night and meows until you shout down and say its alright Max, he just needs reassuring then he settles. That is except one night he was too upset and I had to go down stairs to calm him. He was more affectionate tan usual, he was obviously pleased to see me. He settled after lots of love then made sure I didn't disappear from him by marking me. Great! nothing like a shower at 2am in the middle of the night. One other thing, he forgets he's eaten and keeps asking for more, he can be hard work. Oh, I forgot he keeps attacking Leah our other cat, she does not no whats hit her half the time. He jumps on her while she sleeps and grabs her when she goes through the cat flap, she has just had enough of him and growls when he comes near, and who can blame her.

Poor old Max! The condition is very similar to what we see in human Alzheimer's. I didn't realize cats could get it, but there's a lot about cat dementia on the net. It's quite worrying, we not sure what to do about it, or him.

The colour of snot.

Andy and my self have had a virus all week. Our joints, muscles, head and any thing else you can think of hurt like hell. I also had, and still have a sore throat and ears. But it's the runny nose that has got me thinking, why when you have a heavy cold why is the snot always green? After over a box of tissues and half a toilet roll I decided to get to the bottom of it, or the nose of it in this case.
Here is what I have found out:

Contrary to what you might think, normal nose glop is vital for good health. It helps to protect your lungs and also helps keep your body moist ( it's always good to have a moist body, oooooooh matron). It contains proteins, carbohydrates, salt and some cells. The primary type of protein are the mucins, which have a sugar coating that enables them to absorb large quantities of water. Which gives mucus its consistency and wetting properties. These also contain antibodies that kick start the body’s defences against disease causing agents such as bacteria, viruses and fungi and antiseptic enzymes, such as lysozyme, that can directly kill bacteria. Isn't snot good stuff.

A stuffed up nose is caused when mucus gets trapped behind swollen nasal passages. They become swollen because of increased blood flow to that area,this occurs so that the goodie white blood cells can reach the point of infection. This is why decongestants can help your cold by shrinking the blood vessels and cutting down the blood flow, reducing the swelling. Except I can't use them. Ibuprofen upsets my stomach in a big way and sudafed gives me nightmares, that is if I can sleep after I have taken the dam stuff! But not all is lost, apparently if you have a runny nose then taking antihistamines can help by blocking the histamine-induced stimulation of mucus production.

white blood cells called neutrophils are amongst the first on the scene when a cold starts and arrive via the blood stream. Upon arrival they mount an attack. They attempt to engulf (swallow) the pathogen (a virus in the case of colds) and at the same time they produce antiseptic chemicals that wipe out other pathogens nearby. These chemicals are so potent that very little escape and are destroyed, committing suicide to fight the spread of infection. Generally, enzymes are responsible for the production of the antiseptic chemicals and it is these that give mucus the green colour. Enzymes often require ‘helpers’, called co-enzymes, to function properly and it is more specifically the co-enzyme iron that lends the green colour to mucus. Interestingly, it is similar to the iron containing enzymes in wasabi and that what makes it green too.

So, I finally I have my answer, why snot is green. It's the iron containing enzymes, and the same reason why wasabi is green, but thankfully snot is not as hot. I suppose if it was, you wouldn't have a cold, you would have a hot!
Most of my information came from Becky Poole from Bristol Uni . Well someone's got to do it. And here ends the lesson in The colour of snot.

Cant believe it, it's snowing on mars!

Image from Hoax-slayer

It's 5:30am I've been awake for a couple of hours at least. A number of thing are keeping me awake, yes the normal aches and pains. Mainly my art and whats it about, and the news that it's snowing on Mars.
Scientists from NASA said yesterday that its instruments on the Red Planet have detected falling snow. The Phoenix Mars Lander has been sitting on the northern pole of the planet for several months, testing Martian soil samples for any materials, including water and ice that could support life. A robotic arm on the lander has dug up pieces of ice, the orbiter has also sent back pictures of what look like old fractures in the planet's surface, and trails of waterways.
The snow that's falling, are from clouds about 2.5 miles above the planet's surface, and apparently is evaporating before reaching the ground, but they are looking for signs that the snow may reach the ground. NASA also noticed that in recent soil experiments, the lander had found the presence of calcium carbonate, a main ingredient in chalk and clay. Both are formed with liquid water, this is so exciting.
As you probably know scientists have reported finding evidence of a system of river channels that flowed into a crater lake, slightly larger than Lake Tahoe in California. The orbiter has sent back information showing that there was water on Mars as far back as 4.6 billion to 3.8 billion years ago. This is a period of time that corresponds to the earliest years of our solar system. My head is spinning, and this time through the enormity of the findings (makes a change my from Arnold Chiari). I've got to say it once more, it's snowing on Mars!
It's 6:15 I think I will try and get some sleep if my imagination will let me.

The end of a era.

That's it, empty, all gone, what now?
Will it reopen we don't know, mean while my sculptures and some paintings are in storage in Alford. As for the rest they're in the spare bed room waiting to be logged and photographed, then put up on a website.
It was quite sad saying good bye to the other artists in the studios, we said we keep in touch, but shall we who knows. Most have got new spaces else where, I am waiting to see what comes up. The council seems to be saying we should be back in in 18 months, whether we do is another matter.
For my self now I'm out it would make sense to try and find some where nearer home, because of my health challenges.
More stuff has gone missing since my last visit to the studio. A inside job is looking favorite at the moment for the latest things. I have only lost a gallon of PVA glue and a canvas stretcher this time, but other artists have lost stuff as well. A artist put a chair in the passage to take to his car went back in his room for a couple of minuets and his chair had disappeared.
One artist was filling a van with what ever she could, stuff that other artist had to get back off her. This leaves a nasty taste in the mouth, I thought every one in there could be trusted.
At the moment I feel a little lost, the studio was where I was just an artist. It was where I could immerse my self in my art, and leave any worries or duties behind. But as funny as it my seem I think something good will come out of it.
So here's to the future and what ever it brings

Feeling sad

Sleeper iv 2004 fabric and resin.
The 9ft sculpture that had to go in the skip



I'm feeling sad.
I am or should I say, Andy and my brother-in-law John are emptying my studio tomorrow. I will have to be ruthless with some of my stuff. Stuff I don't need but have become apart of me, and my studio. Silly things like a part of a ex sculpture that was exhibited for the Vagina Monologues a few years ago. Two armatures for life size sculptures I was working on, and very sadly a nine foot, very dominant, figurative sculpture, too big to take away and store. Two large solid wood work tables, my easy chair and cupboards. Oh so sad. I will get over it but I,m not looking forward to going tomorrow, it will be so very hard. It was my space, where my creativity flowed and was apart of who I am.

Viv's got a distinction

Viv our eldest daughter has got a distinction for her Masters in Science, her love for lichen and all things fungi has paid off. What's fantastic is, that she did it in a year while suffering from migraines and she had a small stroke!
She applied for a job in the research of lichens in the environment, last week, right down her street or wood or hill top.
Yaaaaaa, she got it and starts in December, at the Botanics in Edinbough.

Dressed and ready

A bad photograph of a detail of painting I've been working on today (4ft x 1ft) 30cm x 122cm)oil on board


Last night Andy was running through a presentation he was giving today at a well being day, for Life Coaches. He is the creator of a coaching module/program (I'm not sure of the correct terminology for it) designed for professional coaches, called WISER. He has coached me with this tool some time ago (over a year may be two) the session we had was very powerful and gave me strength to create through the challengers I have with health and self belief.
So I'm dresses and ready to paint. I have the paints out, I've got my painting clothes on, and now, I'm too tired! So I'm off to bed and see what a couple of hours sleep will do.
Can't sleep images of what I'm putting down on board are keeping me awake. I tried to meditate to take my mind off it and get to sleep, but no chance. So up I get and start finishing a painting that I started last year before I had a relapse.
God it feels good to get the burning desire to paint and get the images out of your head into reality. I might need to do some tweaking here and there, but I'm quite happy to say it's the first painting I done since last year.
When I finished I thought my head may explode, the pain from concentration was immense. I needed to put cold compresses on my head and neck and lie down. But this is the price I have to pay to create then so bee it. I can't not paint when the images are so strong. It's like ignoring a friend in need or unable to kiss the one you love.
It has to be done I'm unable to turn my back on it, I have tried in the past but that's not who I am.

Wedding Anniversary

34 years, we been married 34 years yesterday, I can't believe it! Time seems to have gone so quickly, having said that our wedding day does seem thirty four years ago though. I can hardly remember much of the day it's self. I can remember it raining all morning drying up just in time. Plus Andy's family all been in the pub when I arrived at the church, I had to go around the block three times before one of our friends got them into the church. We went on honeymoon that evening only to find when we were getting ready for bed one of my relations had taken out my hair brush and some how took Andy's comb. Not a big deal you may think, the only thing was our hair was very long and mine had been pin up and covered in hair spray. We were unable to buy a brush and comb until the following Wednesday, it was hell. One thing I do know is that I would marry him allover again.

Uncle Eric

We have been trying to see my Uncle Eric and Auntie Lily for the past 3-4 years. Finally we managed to get up to North Yorkshire to see them.
Uncle Eric is in his eighties, what a change since we saw him last. He has gone from a fit and active man, to someone who is fragile in body and mind. He seems to forget the most basic of things, we were getting seated for lunch and he seemed to forget how to sit, we had to tell him to bend his knees. It must be very confusing for him, plus it must be incredibly hard for my Auntie. How do you cope when the person you love is going through a confusing hell?
She looked tired but said she was very pleased to see us, and wished we lived closer. I said I wouldn't be much help, she said we always cheer her up. Having said that, she also said her dog cheers her up as well, when it cocks its head to one side as much to say whats up with you? We will try and get up to see them again very soon.

Catch up

One of the painting that was damaged but now ok.

Quite a bit happened around me over the last week or so. Andy has been decorating the hall way and stairs, they're a blog in it's self. Andy hates decorating with a Passion,or should I say dislikes painting quite a bit. He's painted the ceiling and walls, the wood work still needs doing. He's put down laminate flooring in the down stairs hall way (looks pretty good), this he finds he can do and almost enjoy. We haven't yet sorted out the carpet for the stairs and landing, we want a carpet with colour to it, but the shops seem to be full of beige and browns.
We had a busy week Viv, our oldest came to stay and goes back home on Monday we will miss her. It's nice to have her to our selves for a while, John brought her home as he had got a lot of stuff going on and she was unwell. Viv is doing a Masters in Environmental Biology, I think that's right if not I will soon find out! As I said she been ill (more on that later), she a bit of a workaholic and her dissertation is due. Our role is to make sure she doesn't do to much, it's been close but she been good and looking a lot better.
Viv suffers from really bad migraines that can leave her numb down one side and she finds it hard to talk. She has a lot of symptoms that are close to mine, so to rule out Arnold Chiari the hospital gave her a MRI scan. She hasn't got Arnold Chiari thank goodness but has had a slight stroke, probably in the last couple of months. I find this quite worrying but I'm sure if she slows down a little for now and her doctors keep an eye on thing she will be fine.
Moving on, we had some lovely days, last Friday Andy's sister Debbie came with her husband John and their two little girls Georgia and Bonnie. Of course Viv was here and just to make it complete our other two daughters Jane, Ruthie and our grandchildren Finlay and Amber. The children were a joy to watch, and the weather was good for a change. It would have been nice if Angie, Harry and our other nieces were there, but unfortunately that would have been too much for me. Since then I have been trying to recharge my batteries, and I am slowly feeling better.
A week last Monday we went to my old studio to see if we could clean up some of the vandalise paintings. Yes! brill five out of the six could be cleaned, one may need a little touching up but hay better than expected. The painting that had been spray painted stood no chance which a big shame, as it was the last painting I did and was very pleased with it. Hopeful I will be back painting soon, I'm thinking about it quite a bit but still waiting for the energy. It's surprising how much mental energy a abstract painting takes, even when I feel well for me, I feel sapped after it's finished, so intense is the immersion.

A teaspoon of honey might make the weight go down

I have been having a spoonful of honey every night before going to bed, this week up to now I've lost 2lb. Now I don't really now if it the honey or I'm losing weight by watching what I eat, like the chocolate lolly yesterday 278 calories or the Toblerone this morning 180. I went off my diet last week just so I could count my calories on a normal week. I have an average of between 1,300- 1,600 a day. I did have a spoonful of honey at night and lost one pound. This week my calories are around 1,350 and have lost two pounds, will it stay off I don't know. In the past I have cut my calories down and still didn't loose the weight, could it be the honey? Below is a article I found on the net.

Hibernation Honey Diet
By Ruth Tan

Ruth Tan runs the popular website Benefits of Honey which is an immensely rich, quality resource on honey and its benefits, and a plethora of ... ...
The recent revolutionary Hibernation Diet created by a British pharmacist and a nutrition expert caught my attention by making a powerful connection between poor sleep and obesity. It advocates incorporating mild resistance exercise and a healthy, wholesome, and balanced diet void of highly refined, processed foods such as white bread, pizza, burgers, chocolates, beer and sugar, and suggests taking a generous spoonful or two of honey at night, either as a warm drink, a smoothie or straight from the jar. This fascinating honey hibernation diet promises to help us sleep and lose weight at the same time by using our biology and working with our bodies, rather than against them – “recovery biology”. A new approach to fat metabolism, it requires no straining from aerobics exercise, no wearing out on a treadmill and no pounding it out in the gym. Sounds too easy, too miraculous or too far-fetched to be believable?

Natural honey when taken prior to bed is believed to be able to fuel the liver, speed up fat-burning metabolism, ease stress hormones and help us get a better night's sleep. This oldest natural sweetener also contains a wide variety of vitamins, including vitamins B6, B1, B2 and B5, and minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, sodium and zinc, anti-oxidants and amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.

What I learnt about the Hibernation Diet is that honey provides a fuelling mechanism for the body at night, keeping blood sugar levels balanced and letting your recovery hormones get on with burning fat stores. This proposition that honey reduces blood glucose level was published in the Journal of Medicinal Food in April 2004. However, to most people, it seems to defy common sense since honey comprises two sugars, namely glucose and fructose in a 1:1 ratio. Moreover, eating late at night is often discouraged by many people who believe that during bedtime, metablic rate is low and the body cannot burn calories and would easily put on weight. Being a honey enthusiast, I naturally wanted to know more about how the hibernation diet works scientifically for the good of the body.

I read that when sugars are absorbed from the gut into the blood they are first absorbed by the liver, which is the only organ in the human body with the fructose enzyme to process this sugar. In the liver the fructose is converted into glucose, stored as liver glycogen or human starch, and released only if and when blood glucose falls.

Fructose also triggers the glucose enzyme in the liver allowing the liver to take in as much glucose as it requires. This has been referred to as the Fructose Paradox. In other words, fructose lowers the Glycemic Index of glucose; fructose enters the liver and opens the gate for glucose entry preventing a rapid rise in blood glucose. This natural blood glucose regulator found in fruits, vegetables and honey, regulate blood glucose levels and stabilize blood glucose to maintain a regular supply of glucose to the brain.

Some simple questions that the hibernation diet expert asks to check if the liver has fuelled up well for the night:

- Do you wake regularly during the night?

- Do you have night sweats?

- Do you experience acid reflux during the night?

- Do you get up to go to the bathroom during the night?

- Do you feel nauseous in the early morning?

- Do you wake up exhausted?

- Do you have a dry throat in the morning?

- Do you get night cramps?

- Do you feel weak in the early morning?

If “yes” is the answer for any of these questions, it could mean that instead of burning fat and repairing muscles, your body has produced a stream of stress hormones while you've slept.

The hibernation diet also goes on to explain how fructose in honey fuels the brain which is the most energy demanding organ, burning up to 20 times the fuel of any other cell in the body. We become exhausted after having to concentrate for a lengthy period. That’s why we often hear that mental exhaustion is worse than physical exhaustion. The brain needs glucose to survive, however glucose occupies a large amount of storage space and there is no room in the brain. And the liver is the only organ that can both store and release glucose into the circulation. This is why looking after your liver glycogen amount by ensuring that the liver and the brain are well provided for both in the day and at night is so critical. Any fall in blood glucose is detrimental for the brain. The adrenal glands to be activated and the adrenal hormones if overproduced can lead to conditions such as heart disease, osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes, poor immune function, depression and other distressing health problems.

What I find inspiring to read is that we burn an amazing 70% fat during rest, 35% during low level exercise, 20% during moderate exercise, and a low 10% during intense exercise. During sleep we should burn fats. However, if the liver is not fuelled prior to bed, we release stress hormones from the adrenal glands which raise our heart rate and blood pressure. These hormones instead of burning fat, degrade muscle and bone. The liver must deliver 10 grams of glucose every hour -- 6.5 to the brain, 3.5 to the kidneys and red blood cells. As the liver capacity is only 75 grams, most people go to bed with a depleted liver, activating the adrenal glands and do not recover. And if you do not recover you do not burn fats. The hibernation diet essentially aims to encourage people to reap the benefit of your body's own natural recovery system and optimize their recovery biology or fat burning biology, as explicitly termed by the author who believed that this diet is not only to a healthy weight but unlocking energy resources you never know you had.

I'm Back!

I'm back thinking of painting again, after six months of not knowing who I am. I'm a artist again! yes I am! and whats more my head is spinning with ideas. Working on the same interests but with new life, I only hope I have the energy. Yesterday a large order of canvases and oil paint arrived, this is very exciting.
At the same time my art is taking over my brain and giving me one hell of an head ache. I'm full of nevus energy, my adrenaline is giving me false strength, I need to keep an eye on this. Another question is, when do I allow my self to start painting? will it be counter productive at this time? should I wait until I'm a little stronger? Or will waiting cause more head aches because I can't let my artistic flow run wild? I think it's time to try and see what happens, may be work on a painting that still needs finishing. Or do I leave that one for now, and explore the next? I in a twirl.
One thing I do know it's good to be back, a artist again at least in mind and soon, very soon on canvas.

Frog Prince and the Lilly Pad

Photograph of Prince earlier this year.


This is the story of prince and the Lily pad.
In our pond we had a frog called Prince. I called him prince after the children's book, 'The Frog Prince'. A prince had been turned into a frog by a wicked witch, and must stay as a frog until a princess fell in love with him and kisses him.
Of course a princess did find him and planted one on the cold wet frog, (yes right as if, but this is a children's fairy tale).
Any way our frog reminded me of the story book I had as a child. Every day I would walk up to the pond to look at Prince the frog on his Lily pad, and every day he was there. Prince was as very tame frog, you could get very close and sometimes touch him. Our cat Leah some times would soft paw him into the water, too tame for his own good. A few days ago just outside our living room window, Andy found a frog on it's back, as stiff as a board. On close inspection it had some damage on it's head, a cat claw may be. Andy showed me the deceased, I said I hope that's not prince.
A few days has past since then, and no sign of prince. Did Leah do for him, or could it be Suzanna the cat from the house across? We will never know, I would like to think a fairy tale princess came and give him a great big wet kiss, and they disappeared into the sun set. What a mushy, syrupy end to a frog's tale.
Prince's demise does shows you how Darwin's theory of evolution is put into practice. A tame wild frog is a dead frog, survival of the fittest or in this case the scared!

Saying no to nightmares

I think I might have got rid of my recurring nightmares. Since my last relapse in February I have been having the most horrible nightmares three or four times a week, and up to seven a night. The dreams were trying to convince me that I was of no use just a hindrance to my family. They brought in family and friends long gone, or unrecognizable ghostly figures pulling me away from my sleeping body. The voices seem to stay with me for a while after waking, so vivid was the dreams.
My last nightmare was around a week ago, until then they never went more than two nights apart. The last bad dream started as usual reminding me of my lack of strength and ability to converse with people for any length of time, and how Andy and my girls would be much better of without me. Andy could get on with life with out me dragging him down and holding him back. Half way through the dream I stood up instead of cowering away and said, Stop! that's not true!. I woke shacking but I felt like a great weight had been lifted. Each night I'm still a little apprehensive about going to sleep but this is getting less and less, and know find my self having normal dreams again (well as normal has dreams can be).

Burglar Bill in the Studio

One of my painting before it was redecorated.
Beginnings 2007 Oil on Canvas 60"x60"


If you have read some of my earlier posts you will know my studio has been closed up for over eight months. Recently it has been broken into, and Andy has taken me there to assess any damage or loss. We were told today the studio has been broken in to three times in the last couple of months, frustrating that we have only just been aloud access in to it. Children or youths were to blame at first, but it seems pretty clear adults are to blame. A number of my painting have been stolen, I should see it as flattering, But don't like the thought of Bill the Burglar having my paintings on his wall.
To make it look like children had been in they splattered purple paint at five or six of my painting coursing a some damage. Kids would have used a lot of different colour paints and probably straight from the tube. The paint was squeezed out on a table then thrown at the paintings. A prepared canvas had been sprayed painted on and one other painting, but in a half hearted and very casual way.
They stole some power tools, my CD player and a couple of unused canvases still in their packaging. One of my easels was damage while being used as a battering ram to try and get into the other studios.
All this make me feel that if children had been in they're would have compleatly trashed the place. All that paint in tins and tubes would have been so much fun in a empty building with no one to stop them.
The council representative (its a council owned building) said the police were not at all interested in the break in, nothing unusual there then. We have taken some of my paintings home and hope to collect some more soon, who knows where we are going to put them all. As for insurance I don't think I'm covered with the council.
The most upsetting thing for me is not what they have taken it's the vandalism of my work.

Good Time Lovely People

It's 3am and I'm wide awake, so I thought I talk about Frank's (Andy's friend's) 50th birthday party. We arrived at Frank's with Andy's wonderful turkey pie ( Andy makes a fantastic turkey pie, Its like a pork pie only made with turkey instead)and some boozes. We had totally forgot it was his 50th, so didn't get him any thing special except the pie. They're that much going on in our live at the moment we did we turning up on the right day!
Frank and his family are lovely warm people, and their home was filled with lots of their friends and family, who we are slowly getting to know. Amongst his friends are Andy's mutual friend Paul and wife Linda.
I always look forward to seeing Paul and Linda, again very warm people. Paul has had a lot of health challenges over the last seven years, with symptoms very like my own. Talking to Paul helps me a lot because he truly understands how I feel, and I hope I do the same. Linda has had her share of problems as well, as she puts it I've not got much left that the hospital can remove. She makes a joke out of it but it must be worrying for them both.
We had a lovely time with lovely people and good food who could ask for more. Frank said he's going to give up his job in IT and doing a six months chefs course, something he's wanted to do for a while. He love good food so I think he will make a great chef, and look forward to sample some of his work. We had to leave early as I had total had it. We had been there for 2-3 hours, which was very good to say it was my first big gathering since my relapse in Feb. As soon as we got home I crawled straight into bed.

Isamu Noguchi Opening

I had a wonderful day yesterday. Andy and myself went to the opening of Isamu Noguchi at Yorkshire Sculpture Park Nr Wakefield. What a wonderful exhibition, we will be going back very soon to see it again. Anthony Gormley introduced Isamu Noguchi work and declared it open. They're must have been 300 people invited on the day, so space around the work was limited. Isamu Noguchi sculpture are so tactile and full of gut feelings and work on themes that are an intrest to me. You need to spend quite a time with each one to get the most out of it, and then go back and get more, something you can't do when it's so crowded. I hope we can get back to see it in the next couple of weeks, may be have a picnic as well.
I worked at YSP for over ten years as resident sculptor and education officer along side sculptor Gary Cormack. It was lovely seeing my old colleagues and particularly nice seeing Gary as I have only seen him once since I had to retire three years ago through my illness.
Andy has a web-site and in his last post features Isamu Noguchi work in more detail. He would love you to visit his site. just click on to the creative Instint in my links near the top right of the page.

3am

It's nearly 3am and I haven't had much sleep. I have had three nightmares already, they're like a dripping tap, and get on your nerves. I feel quite level headed but it seems my subconscious is a little screwed up. Looking on the bright side I did have two nights without night terrors. Tonight after waking up in a bit of a dreamy state my heart beating like mad. Our wonderful black cat Leah came in the cat flap with a bang. Then started to let out the most horrible almost talking meow, followed with some hissing and growling. Just what you need after a really bad dream. I managed to collect my self and went down stairs to see what was wrong, thinking another cat was trying to get in. Apparently she was just being silly no other cats around, not even Max. So I made a drink and brought my lap-top up to bed, and now have finish said drink I will try once more to get some sleep.

Glass Half Full Again

We went to festival in Sheffield today with Jane, Andy, Finlay and Amber. Can't believe how cold it was for the middle of July. We had a lovely walk around the festival stalls, stopping at one tent where drums were being played. They're were three drummers inviting people to join in, Finlay was there like a shot, followed by Jane and the two Andys. The tent was full of about twenty drummers, it sounded very good to say it was mainly 'Joe Public' playing. On our way back to Jane's house, Finlay was in his push chair, and I in my wheelchair. Finlay looked at me and said " Grandma what's wrong"? I just said I'd been poorly. He's aways been used to me using a stick, but not in a wheelchair. What a deep question for a child of just over two, bless him.
Later on our way home we called at a shop. I went in by myself to buy some herb tea, to be able to do this was fantastic. Yesterday I felt like crying because my glass was half empty, today I feel like crying because its half full. What a difference a day can make.

A Glass Half Empty

I was talking to John last week saying I never or rarely see my self as a glass half empty kind of person. I believe I'm a very lucky person, and that's true.
I had forgot that I do have my glass half empty days, and today is one of them.
The weather is bleak, I'm feeling very down and depressed. It's one of those days where you need to do something to get it out of your system. Something physical, a run or a brisk walk through the countryside. To do the kind of exercise that cleans the soul and burns out all the negative thoughts. I wish I had the energy, I'm so fed up! I feel like smashing something, and having a good cry. I hate days like these.

Home Alone

Andy's gone to a conference in Leeds for a couple of days, he is presenting a introduction into well-being.
So I'm home alone, or so I thought. Ruth was on the phone talking to her dad yesterday, with a report on her charity walk in the Peak District(more about that later). After finding out he was away, she decided to come for a relaxing couple of days at home. In other words Mother Sitting! Bless she so good, they all are.
Ruth walk went well at first, she had to wrap up well because of the weather wasn't very good. Ruth suffers and I mean suffers from a very rear complaint, 'Cold Artilaria' which basically means if she get cold eg; cold rain, wind, snow or just cold she comes up in blisters her throat tightens so she can't breath very well ( a bit like a Asama Attack) and can go into anaphylactic shock. She takes a high level of antihistamines and some times if she goes into shock she needs to use a adrenalin pen administered.
The weather was against her this weekend. she walked 20 miles in cold rain and hail. So consequently had to be ambulance off through her condition, so was unable to finish. She was so upset as she was a good 40 minutes in front of the rest, unfortunately, this also meant she was very ill and waiting for help to arrive for that time.
She had done every thing right regarding the precautions she took, but the icy rain did it for her. But I think she should be commended for what she achieved under the conditions. Well done Ruth.

Next stop the marathon

I've been on a expedition to day. It's our local council elections, and I went to put my x in the box. The big thing is I walked there and back in one, all 300-400 yards. A laughingly small distance for most, but for me a good walk. My legs were like jelly when I got back home, but I'm so pleased with my self. For my next trick a 400-500 yard marathon, they're no stopping me once I get started!

My First Big Day Out.

Our cat Leah sunbathing.

We went out last Saturday afternoon to Andy's sisters (Debbie) house, near Lincoln (3 hours traveling, there and back).
This was a big deal for me, it's the first time I have been out visiting family. We had a lovely time sat on the patio watching Georgia 3 and Bonnie 2 play.
We had been looking forward for the time when we were able to visit family and friends. In the past after we have had some visitors or I have had a little outing, I have had to pay for it big time, a couple of days latter with a storming head ache and feeling very weak. I did feel weak this time, but only had a normal head ache.
This has opened up a new door for us to get out and about more, may be we will be able to baby sit our grand children soon. I would really like to do this, it would be good to let Jane and Andy 'A' go out for a meal or something. I'm so excited! I feel like a house cat who's found a way out, so much to explore. I mustn't get too carried away, slowly, slowly does it. Hopefully we will be able to visit Andy's other sister soon(Angie), and may be stop over, and see his brother as well (Rob) can't wait. I will truly know when I'm on the mend when we visit our daughter Viv in Edinburgh, and stop off at my sister's (Janet) in Newcastle. Oh so much to do!

More Liquorice Allsorts!

Uncle David came on Saturday with a box of Liquorice Allsorts. If you read an earlier post I was having a mardy after David kindly bringing me a box of liquorice allsorts instead of chocolate as usual. He walked in with with another box of allsorts, I politely said thank you and put them down. David said "aren't you going to have one"? I said no I'll have one later. At least open them he said. 'Oh no' I thought, who has told him? I opened them not to upset him, and out popped a box of Maltesers. I then had to ask who had told him, he said I had. But how? He had read my blog! It serves me right, I will have to be careful what I write in future. Having said that, I got my chocolates back. Thank you David.

Hot Flushes a Woman Thing.

I'm getting hot flushes, I hate it. It started a couple of weeks ago. I feel like a sweaty lump. I'm not taking it well at all, I'm not used to sweating. Even when I used to do keep fit and play squash I only ever had sweat on my head and sometimes neck. In the summer if it gets hot I tend to close down, my body just can't cope with the heat, and I end up with a very bad head ache. I learned if I wet my hair down or had a cool bath that would help, I suppose its like artificial sweat.
I've been looking on the web and they're lots of herbs and other concoction you can take for hot flushes. I think I will try the sage route. So we are off to the garden centre this week to buy a red sage plant, so I can make a sage tea. I will report back if it works.

A New Record 7 nightmares in one night

A long Dark Dark night
Where hell holds firm
And there's little light

Come close come close and listen
let me take you to the west
Where the light are low and you can rest

Come to me and follow
to see and not been seen
hold hands with me to Valhalla
and no more may you dream

I don't really want to talk about my nightmares, but I needed to put down the essence of them. I know the poem needs a lot of work, maybe one day I will finish it. I hope not, you can dwell on things far too long. I feel much better for putting it down. I think I will go back to bed now and try and sleep, as last night I got so I was too scared too.

Don't count your chickens before their hatched or Never take anything for granted.

As the saying goes, don't count your chickens before their hatched, comes to mind, or in this case maltesers. After a few days of chocolate fever David came with 'liquorice allsorts'. It's really good of him, but they're not chocolate and I really don't like allsorts they're far too sweet. I have been obsessed with a need for chocolate, but didn't give in I can wait until Saturday. David will come, he always brings me some chocolate usually Maltesers. Never take anything or any one for granted. I feel horrible I really should be grateful. But chocolate deprivation can bring the mardy side out of me, I feel like a child who's had their sweets taken off them. I think I have an addiction, I need help. But in the meantime Andy's gone to get chocolate, I do love him.

Misty Trees

John Hobson Photography
Misty Trees

Just had to put this up.
This photo was made while on a long hike from North Berwick to Dunbar. By my soon to be son in-law John. He said the whole way was really misty and particularly so at that point, towards the Dunbar end.
What a beautiful almost ghostly image, I can feel the quiet and stillness . The image seems to come up and immerse you with it, I love it.
John has a link on this blog if you would like to see more of his work.

Back on the road again

We are back on the road again. The reason it took so long is that when the fuel pump stopped working it blew the on board computer system. No wonder the mechanics couldn't pin point the problem. I'm just glad it's back and we can get out and do some visiting. We have been wanting to visit Andy's sister Debbie, her husband John and the little ones, as they have just moved to a new house.

Where's the butterflies? and bump goes the pigeon!

xxxxxxx
It's Fathers Day, and Andy started the day with a card and a Swiss army knife from Vivyan and John, which is something Andy has fancied for a while.
Jane, Andy, A Finlay and Amber came today bearing beer for Andy, something Andy is always pleased to receive. Then they took us out to the Butterfly farm at Anston near where we live. It's a lovely place with plenty to see as long as you don't expect to see many butterflies. You could count all the butterflies on one hand!
Back home in time for Ruth to arrive. More presents, egg poacher? ( Andy has trouble poaching eggs) goodies and ingredients for her to cook a evening meal. A very nice day, it didn't start that way.
Andy was playing his guitar. He had promised his self an hours guitar before Jane came. He was having trouble playing as well as usual. He's having a lot of problems with his hands and wrists, their giving him a lot of pain. It started with me, I was in a talkative mood, and the phone never stopped ringing for him. At last hes got about fifteen minutes before Jane gets here, the phone rings again, the guitar gets thrown on the bed. Five or ten minutes left, the guitar out of tune from its landings, Arrrrrrrrrrr. He starts tuning it, the phone rings, he gives up!

As I'm typing up my post, Bang a young wood pigeon hits our bedroom windows. We rush out, the poor thing broke it's neck, and died in Andy's hands. It was a beautiful young bird, not yet got all it's adult feathers. We looked at the bed room window from outside and you can see the imprint of its body and wings. Quite beautiful in a way, a ghost print, the spread of its wings are much longer than you would expect. After a few moments of sadness holding the pigeon, looking at it, what a shame it just gets to an age where its self sufficient, Bump and its gone. As Andy looked at it for the last time saying what a waste, I said may be not, can't you eat it? Andy inspected its breasts, no its too young not enough meat on it!

Three Peaks Walk

Peak experience: the view from Combs Edge in Derbyshire.
Photograph: Don McPhee.

My daughter Ruth, is doing a charity walk for Marie Curie on July 5th.
The challenge is to walk 26 miles over the three highest peaks of the Peak District in 10-12 hours. She personally would like to get it done in under 11. The views will be hard earned but fantastic. Plus she's just broken her ribs, but thankfully have three weeks to heal before she does the walk.

Please sponsor her www.justgiving.com/ruthleigh1
Thank you from Ruth

Have wheelchair will travel

We went to collect my wheelchair today, in Ken's crawl/judder car.
So I am one step nearer to visiting family and friends plus a walk in the countryside or should I say a push in the country side. All we need is our car back, its been a long month without it.

Travel in style

I've been to the pain clinic today, what a journey. The car we borrowed from Ken at the garage give us an interesting drive. We set off in plenty of time to get to the clinic for 1pm.
The journey was awful, every light at red, road works, very low on fuel, so had to go out of our way to find the petrol station, and only just in time. All this in a automatic that doesn't like changing gears. We finally arrived at the pain clinic nearly twenty minutes late.
The therapist seemed pleased with the little progress I am making, and gave me a few stretching exercises to do. So now I'm up to breathing and stretching. The good thing is I don't have to go back to the clinic, as she made me a telephone appointment. This means I can give her a up date of my progress over the phone, which means I don't use to much energy getting there, which makes a lot of sense.

Enjoyable Saturday

I'm still not sleeping well and thought I might be a little tired after a busy day, but I don't feel all that bad considering.
The postman came this morning with a book I ordered last Wednesday. Joy, joy, happy, happy, (Ice Age Britain)I've glanced through and can't wait to read it. Then Uncle David called with a box of maltesers, naughty, naughty, I'm on a diet, yum, yum, in my tum.
This afternoon Angie and Harry came with the girls, baring gifts a plant with deep red flowers, cannot remember whats it's called but very beautiful. We had a lovely afternoon catching up, we don't see enough of them with me unable to travel far, and them having to keep visits short. But that will change as soon as we get the car back and I finally get the wheelchair. There's no rushing the social services, Andy going to ring them once again on Monday.
A good day and I'm really tiered you never know I might sleep through to night, I did a few weeks back I had six hours straight.

Fish, Chips & Mushy Peas.

We had fish, chips and mushy peas for tea to night. I wished we hadn't bothered, for two reasons.
Reason Number one, I am supposed to be on a diet.
Reason number two, they were crap. Fish over cooked and anemic chips, the mushy peas were alright but we cooked them.
Andy had just come back from seeing if the car had been fixed yet, the answer to that is NO. the garage is having problems finding out exactly what's wrong with the bl****g thing.
They have loaned us a little automatic car, that finds it difficult to go up hills with any enthusiasm, but still it gets you from A to B. Having a car meant Andy could go and do the shop, having not been able to do a big shop for three weeks we needed a lot. This meant he wouldn't be back in time to cook.
We decided to have fish and chips for ease. The Admiral (fish & chip shop) have gone back to making poor chips and batter with fish. For a while the owner had left the cooking to some Serbian blokes, they couldn't half cook a mean fish and chips, wonderful some decent fries for once. The Admirals owner decided to retrain the fryers, big mistake, don't think we will go back.

What an head ache

I'm still feeling weak legged after my sudden head pain on Tuesday, it just came out of the blue. I was talking to Andy when a sudden pain stuck the back of my head, followed a split second later at the front. I couldn't focus my eyes and they seemed to go in different directions. The Arnold Chiari strikes again. I was supposed to go to be going to the pain clinic, but ironically my head pain was to bad to go.
Later on Tuesday I found out my studio has been broken into, Andy's waiting for the council to get back to him, so he can check on the damage. As far as we know the youths who kicked my door down haven't damaged any of the paintings, but have redesigned my walls. We have yet to see if any of my tools have gone missing, we know they have squeezed out my oil paint tubes. I think we need to find some were safe to store my art work for the time being.

Jane & Andy 1st Wedding Anniversary

Jane and Andy A have been married one year today.
Jane (our daughter) looks so beautiful there, especially on the photo to the right where Ruth our youngest daughter is giving her a kiss.
Its raining out side today, just like on her wedding day. On the run up to Jane and Andy getting married the weather was gorgeous, sunny and warm. on their wedding day the heavens opened. Jane had to be rushed out of the car umbrellas up, to try and protect her from the the sideways on rain. This didn't spoil the day it was magical. Lots of lovely family and friends, good food, and plenty to drink. In fact I remember her saying the other day, that there is still wine and beer left over from the wedding in the celler. Happy anniversary Jane and Andy.

Whats that caterwauling!

Andy and my self were talking tonight about how we in general were discouraged from singing from a early age. Both of us would love to sing with out feeling to self conscious.
I know when I was a child I used to love singing and make up songs. then you get to an age where all of a sudden your family stop thinking how cute. they start saying stop singing you'll make it rain, what a racket and whats that caterwauling?
Ive done it myself no matter how good the singer if its one of your family our a friend a derogatory fraze is bandied about. With out thinking you crush the pure joy of singing out of that person.
I was in the church choir when I was eleven and enjoyed the power of the collective voice, even though at home I could no longer sing for fear of been ridiculed.
I remember singing a hymn in my bed room, one I was to practice ready for early morning song, the following Sunday. I sang thinking no one could hear. I heard my sister say "just listen to her". It might not have been said in the wrong way, but I heard it as, who does she think she is what a rotten voice. I slowly lost confidence and stopped singing in the choir.
Now at the age of 53 its very rare you will hear me sing. But if the house is empty or when I used to drive the car I can still belt out the odd song or two.

Every cloud has a silver lining?

Its ten to four I've been awake since two thirty. I feel really down in the dumps, stressed and I'm aching. They say every black cloud has a silver lining, If that's so, where's mine?

Ignorance is Bliss

This is a photograph of my little girl Ruth, out climbing in the peak district.
She's the one nearly at the top. I find it terrifying, I wished she hadn't sent it.
Ignorance is Bliss, as they say. I know Ruth goes climbing and she enjoys it and that enough for me.

Its got Brakes!

I was talking to my Mum about the trouble I've been having getting my wheelchair. The social services where sending me a chair, little did I know the chair was to be one with little wheels. This is no good for walks in the country side, plus it wouldn't give me any Independence. Yes I know I can't wheel my self round with a self propelling chair, but at leased I can maneuver my self out of the way of people when needed, if I was left for a short time. So Andy's taking me to a mobility shop to look at some chairs as soon as the cars fixed.
Mum was telling me about her friends chair she said it was fantastic, and she will ask her friend where she bought it from. Yesterday she came in all excited with the news, Oh that chairs fantastic its got brakes and every thing. What a relief! bless.

Harry the Theoretical Vegetarian

I've been surfing the net for images for a family blog site, when I came upon this cartoon. As soon as I saw this, it immediately took me back to when Angie (Andy's sister) first brought Harry (her husband then boyfriend) to meet us. Angie met Harry in Germany where she was working as a nurse in Ragensburge.
Harry is very lovable character and a caring person, who we all used to tease terribly.
Angie and Harry were coming for dinner, Harry said he was a vegetarian.
No problem, a veggie alternative was prepared. We sat down to eat, Harry started to fill his plate with meat, I said “I thought you were vegetarian”? Harry's reply in a strong German accent “yes I am, the only meat I eat is of animals that eat vegetables”. We do love him.
Harry was taught English at school and speaks it well, although he had some strange ideas of British life styles and especially how British home were decorated. From the books in his school, he was under the impression we had carpets or some kind of rugs on the walls of our houses. Strange what kind of things get taught in schools some times, it makes me wonder what I was taught about other cultures.
I'm sorry Harry, if you happen to read this just one more from our first meeting.
Harry and Angie had stayed over and were washing the breakfast pots. Harry noticed a pot in the window with tea bags in. (we compost our tea bags) Harry "why have you old tea bags in the window"? Angie " Oh that's because we use them again in England" Harry "Oh" with a look of bewilderment. Andy and Harry then went out to the shops, for what I can't remember. On their return Angie and my self had pegged up all the old tea bags on the washing line out side. Harry puzzled glanced at the tea bags, Andy looked at us with a 'you wicked sod's kinda look'. Back indoors, Me,"Harry would you like a cup of tea"? Harry very hesitant "Yees please, Can I have a new tea bag please" he said very politly. I'm not sure when he cottoned on to our little antic, but it was after they left.
Poor Harry, he now gives nearly as much as he receives.

A moment in the mouth

I started a diet last Monday. I weighed in at 12st 6lbs, and over the last week have lost the fantastic amount of 0 lbs, not being able to exercise or doing any thing much doesn't help, you can't call making the odd cup of coffee exercise. At least I haven't put any weight on which is a blessing.
I found a wonderful photo on the web, when I look at it, it reminds me of a saying. A moment pleasure in the mouth and a life time on the hips! I don't think that lady had heard of the saying, but she seems happy and that's all that matters really. I might put the photo up on the goodies cupboard door with the saying as a caption!
I need to lose around 20lbs to feel and look better, all the extra weight I'm caring can't be helping my stamina not to mention my back and knees.

Storm in a teacup!

Things don't half seem to pile up at once. Things are tight with me being ill for so long. But luckily we don't need much to keep me and Andy happy. They re does seems to be a lot of family challengers going on as well. One of my daughters seems to be taking things bad, but really she's just going through normal stuff with a young family. she needs to take a deep breath and look at all the good stuff, they both do. My Sister is very up set. Her daughter has lost her business. All this and so much more.
One thing though we paid off the car this month it's now ours! It's just had a service last month a MOT and a new and expensive clutch. At least we don't have to worry about that for a while, we might keep it for another year, save the money from the monthly payments for other stuff. Great! Fantastic! Breath a sigh of relief!
WRONG! the bloody thing cut out on Andy last Thursday. It just stopped, Andy called out the recovery people who spent 3/4 hour on it, to be told I think its the fuel pump? The ******* car is in the car park waiting to be picked up by the local garage. God know how much this is going to cost. We had one estimate quote; " If its the fuel pump ssss its going to cost you. sssss the pumps around £500 and the if the cylinders need doing, sssssss well that a couple of hundred each then there's labour. sssss its going to cost ya!". Some how we didn't trust him I don't know why!
So it any one guess how much!
As the saying goes at least we got our health.
It will all turn out well I'm sure, it usually does. After all in the sceem of things, its just a little storm in a teacup.

Birthday Girl

Monday the 12th of May my 53rd Birthday!
It started off with the opening of Birthday cards and presents. Ruth was here and she had brought me a gorgeous bunch of flowers and a box of chocs yum yum! Vivyan and John sent a bottle of very very nice smelly, which I put on immediately.
After a quick slice of toast, it was straight to Auntie Irene's to drop Sylvia off (Sylvia Andy's Mum). Auntie Irene is lovely but you can't stay long because she is a heavy smoker and the house takes your breath away if you aren't used to it.
Next a trip to see Professor Venibles (neurologist) at the hospital, I know how to have a good time on my birthday!
What a waste of time! When we saw the proff he said "why have you come I said I didn't need to see you again in hospital". my replay was "I know I came because your secretary sent a letter telling me to". So not to wast our time we asked him for a prognosis, he told me he couldn't give me one. He did say that the up and downs I have been having will continue and the lack of energy is a part of it. So nothing new except I know what to expect with the Arnold Chiari.
Again the conversation and energy used to get to see the proff made my legs like jelly, yes a wheelchair was needed yet again.
We lunched on mardy food, good old fish and chips! Nothing better.
After a good rest my birthday was back on track. Andy took me to a local garden centre to buy me some tropical fish for my birthday. The garden centre has wheelchairs so Andy wheeled me from the car around the centre, were we bought fish, a hat each and some gardening hand tools that my Uncle David was buying me. Then extremely tired but happy back home.
Andy helped me from the car to the house, when we arrived there was a very big bunch of flowers waiting from Andy's Sister (Angie), her husband Harry, and the girls Hannah, Colette, Leonie and Kitty. It of course caused a tear or two, it was so nice of them. I do miss them all, can't wait until I'm a little better and can be visited, or better still visit all our brothers and sisters. I spent the rest of the day in bed as my eyes were going in different directions, wobbly legs that was having trouble holding me up and a rotten head ache. There I had to stay for a couple of days, the only exception a trip to the doctors.
All worth it I had a lovely birthday, shame about the trip to the hospital though, but never mind.

Fun with Finlay

We had Finlay on Sunday, while his mum and dad went to a wedding. What a treasure he was as good as gold. We put a child's gazebo up for him with his road carpet so he could play with his cars, he was very excited by it and said it was a den. he spent most of the morning in there playing.
Andy who had been playing golf came in just after Finlay arrived. My Mum came up to help with Finlay until Andy got home, as my health not quite good enough to be left for long in case I tire my self out playing with him. As usually Sunday morning means bacon or sausage buttie, you can't hide your working class roots, and I don't want to any way. On hearing his grandad say, "any one for a bacon sandwich", Fin got straight in his little garden chair ready for a sandwich that boy can eat. he's only just two but what an appetite.
Around twelve Andy went to pick his Mum up from the railway station as she had come to Sheffield to stay with her sister for the week, but was staying with us for the night. It's always interesting having the two Mums together.
Andy had just left when Finlay decided it was lunch time. He said Mom-mar Fish finger beans please, he's so cute. after lunch he rubbed his eyes and said nap, so off to bed he went, for two and a half hours! I joined him for most of that time.
The afternoon was magical. The garden looked like a kinder garden toys every where.
My mum had gone home for a couple of hours for a rest from competing with Sylvia (Andy's Mum). It was lovely to see Sylvia enjoying watching Finlay play has she sees very little of him, as she lives on the east coast.
The peseta resistance for Fin was when Andy put out the Paddling pool! he loves water. After helping his grandad to fill the pool they both got in a splishy, sploshy time was had with exceptional amounts of splashing with their legs. I was quite envious but really enjoyed watching them with Sylvia, I took lots of photos.
the day was topped of with a lovely paella Andy cooked, my Mum came back up, and Ruth came and stayed over night.
Jane, Andy A and of course little Amber came to pick Finlay up, and manage to stay for a hour or so. A wonderful end to a lovely day.

It's now official!

I'm absolutely bushed, and back in bed. After a lovely couple of days and a visit to the hospital yesterday plus a trip to the doctors this morning. This mornings trip to the doctors was with knee problems, it's now official I have arthritis in my knees, and I have just had a steroid injection under my knee cap for the pain. The next blog is on a brighter note, what a wonderful time I had on Sunday and Monday afternoon.