Tuesday, 19 May 2015
Hospital
This is me having a whinge about my day- I'll probably be really ashamed of myself later and take it down.
Today, as you may have gathered from the title of my post, I had a hospital appointment- this isn't anything new, I've posted about IBS and other stomach stuff before.
Normally the hospital is really helpful, they give good advice and they get me patched up and out of there.
I was referred last time because I had some blood tests by my doctor as a result of my whinging that my stomach hurts and I feel sick most of the time. tests done, and they showed my blood amylase levels were high. so I went, had more tests, had an ultrasound and they seemed confident it was all fixable.
I went back today for the results and was just expecting it to be "take these, case closed, go back to your life!"
But no, Today we established that the Amylase is a result of my kidney function being rubbish. So not one for Gastro to fix. They don't know why my stomach hurts, but they seem to think that rather than it being a "stomach" thing it is probably a "Thyroid" thing (I have an underactive thyroid- that was what damaged my digestive system in the first place and has lead to my IBS like symptoms, your Thyroid controls all the reactions in your body, including metabolic rate- Incase you ever wondered why I just fall asleep at like 7:30, I'm not narcoleptic, I'm just exhausted all the time).
So, In order to pass me off to another department (Endocrinology) As if I was a bag of potatoes or some other object without any feelings they have to rule out ALL possible stomach and gastric complaints. Therefore, next month I will have an operation to take tissue samples from the upper gut and an MRI to check to lumps bumps etc that shouldn't be there.
I will also have to get my adrenal glands checked, because they may not be working anymore.
Brilliant.
And whilst they're sorting themselves out they suggest that I take amitryptoline, which is an antidepressant. Not because I'm depressed (Although, as I get told all the time.. "Many people which chronic illnesses are depressed and struggle to accept their symptoms, this affects their enjoyment of life") but because one of the side effects of it is that you don't register pain in the same way you would do normally- so the idea is that I won't notice that my stomach hurts and I feel like I'm going to hurl 24/7.
It's also a sedative. So I guess if I go for this genius plan I can reduce my bedtime to 6:30?
I give up. Lets give me fucked kidneys something else to process shall we? that'll really help.
Another side effect of these tablets is weight gain. Anyone who has an under active thyroid will tell you that weight gain is truly the bane of their lives.
I would rather feel like shit and be in pain 24/7 than gain any more weight. Part of this is paranoia caused by a lack of objective thinking- whenever I go to the hospital I am weighed (incase I need a procedure requiring anaesthetic) as part of this process they tell you your BMI and which category you fall into. A healthy weight for me is 11.3, Currently I am 10lbs overweight so in line with NHS policy, I have to be told that I am overweight and will die horribly unless I immediately stope eating anything ever again.
I know they have to say it, but it doesn't hurt any less every time.
My Metabolism is super slow. I really have to work to lose weight, and to keep it off is just a losing battle, because as fast as I'm cutting calories and carbs and trying to eat low fat/low sugar/low fun and exercise until I die of exhaustion, my antibodies are destroying my thyroid more.
It won't matter how hard I work because I can't win.
I'm still trying though! As with arguments even when I know I've lost I feel like I have to have my 10 cents worth.
And I'm tired. not just like, "oh, it's bedtime and I guess I'm sleepy" tired I mean like when you spend a whole day out on your feet walking about, and you get home and sit down for the first time all day and feel like you'll never move off the sofa.
I feel like that when I get out of bed.
Yes, I know I'm whinging, and yes, I know I'm lucky. this isn't life threatening or horrible or obvious to other people. Lots of people are far worse off than I am.
It's just frustrating.
I know that getting a diagnosis takes a long time, because it has to be right. I understand that it's important we explore all the options and find the real cause of symptoms, not just cover them up. I'm grateful that the hospital are thorough.
But to get this far has taken up 6 years of my life.
One thing which would really help speed this process up would be some joined up thinking from the hospital consaultants and my GP- That would be really helpful- Don't tell me to change my diet to eat things I can't ("Have you tried eating tofu?" NO because it inhibits my thyroid tablets! read my medical records dumbass!"Have you tried a paleo diet?" no, because I'd like to leave my house, If I just eat protein my stomach will do disgusting things) Don't neglect to read all the diagnosis history- maybe theres a reason I'm not running marathons ("You should take more aerobioc exercise, why not try running?" Because I'm exhausted, and I didn't run anywhere yet- read the memo!)
Read the information on whatever you're trying to prescribe me and check that I can:
a) actually take it with all my other tablets
b) that it won't make me sicker/ fatter.
c) Still do all the things I currently do
And, give me some actually useful advice. I appreciate that people are busy. Doctors are busy dealing with people who are sick. So give me something useful I can do and tell me, on a personal level what I can do.
Generic advice isn't useful.
Having no idea about your patient isn't helpful either.
So, it's pretty safe to say I'm in an awful mood today- More of my life being taken up with medical appointments- and I have to go to the doctors later as we need to discuss sedative options for the procedure next month- I suffer from seizures, you have to be 4 years "fit free" to drive. I currently hold a full driving licence. If the hospital fucks this up I'll have a lovely car shaped ornament in my parking space.
Add to that that the consultant didn't read my notes properly and didn't realise that I only have one fully working lung, I bet they call me back to do an ECG and lung capacity test before they can do this. Less haste more speed please!
It's always interesting. I guess because I look "normal" and I lead a perfectly "normal" life and hold down a professional job people never think to actually read my notes. They assume that I will be "normal".
I forget that these aren't things everyone has- I usually end up mentioning them as an after though "By the way, you did know about.." and then we have to go and have a private chat.
Almost every time they're like "And you're registered disabled right?"
Uh, no.
I am not disabled at all. just a bit mashed.
Today, as you may have gathered from the title of my post, I had a hospital appointment- this isn't anything new, I've posted about IBS and other stomach stuff before.
Normally the hospital is really helpful, they give good advice and they get me patched up and out of there.
I was referred last time because I had some blood tests by my doctor as a result of my whinging that my stomach hurts and I feel sick most of the time. tests done, and they showed my blood amylase levels were high. so I went, had more tests, had an ultrasound and they seemed confident it was all fixable.
I went back today for the results and was just expecting it to be "take these, case closed, go back to your life!"
But no, Today we established that the Amylase is a result of my kidney function being rubbish. So not one for Gastro to fix. They don't know why my stomach hurts, but they seem to think that rather than it being a "stomach" thing it is probably a "Thyroid" thing (I have an underactive thyroid- that was what damaged my digestive system in the first place and has lead to my IBS like symptoms, your Thyroid controls all the reactions in your body, including metabolic rate- Incase you ever wondered why I just fall asleep at like 7:30, I'm not narcoleptic, I'm just exhausted all the time).
So, In order to pass me off to another department (Endocrinology) As if I was a bag of potatoes or some other object without any feelings they have to rule out ALL possible stomach and gastric complaints. Therefore, next month I will have an operation to take tissue samples from the upper gut and an MRI to check to lumps bumps etc that shouldn't be there.
I will also have to get my adrenal glands checked, because they may not be working anymore.
Brilliant.
And whilst they're sorting themselves out they suggest that I take amitryptoline, which is an antidepressant. Not because I'm depressed (Although, as I get told all the time.. "Many people which chronic illnesses are depressed and struggle to accept their symptoms, this affects their enjoyment of life") but because one of the side effects of it is that you don't register pain in the same way you would do normally- so the idea is that I won't notice that my stomach hurts and I feel like I'm going to hurl 24/7.
It's also a sedative. So I guess if I go for this genius plan I can reduce my bedtime to 6:30?
I give up. Lets give me fucked kidneys something else to process shall we? that'll really help.
Another side effect of these tablets is weight gain. Anyone who has an under active thyroid will tell you that weight gain is truly the bane of their lives.
I would rather feel like shit and be in pain 24/7 than gain any more weight. Part of this is paranoia caused by a lack of objective thinking- whenever I go to the hospital I am weighed (incase I need a procedure requiring anaesthetic) as part of this process they tell you your BMI and which category you fall into. A healthy weight for me is 11.3, Currently I am 10lbs overweight so in line with NHS policy, I have to be told that I am overweight and will die horribly unless I immediately stope eating anything ever again.
I know they have to say it, but it doesn't hurt any less every time.
My Metabolism is super slow. I really have to work to lose weight, and to keep it off is just a losing battle, because as fast as I'm cutting calories and carbs and trying to eat low fat/low sugar/low fun and exercise until I die of exhaustion, my antibodies are destroying my thyroid more.
It won't matter how hard I work because I can't win.
I'm still trying though! As with arguments even when I know I've lost I feel like I have to have my 10 cents worth.
And I'm tired. not just like, "oh, it's bedtime and I guess I'm sleepy" tired I mean like when you spend a whole day out on your feet walking about, and you get home and sit down for the first time all day and feel like you'll never move off the sofa.
I feel like that when I get out of bed.
Yes, I know I'm whinging, and yes, I know I'm lucky. this isn't life threatening or horrible or obvious to other people. Lots of people are far worse off than I am.
It's just frustrating.
I know that getting a diagnosis takes a long time, because it has to be right. I understand that it's important we explore all the options and find the real cause of symptoms, not just cover them up. I'm grateful that the hospital are thorough.
But to get this far has taken up 6 years of my life.
One thing which would really help speed this process up would be some joined up thinking from the hospital consaultants and my GP- That would be really helpful- Don't tell me to change my diet to eat things I can't ("Have you tried eating tofu?" NO because it inhibits my thyroid tablets! read my medical records dumbass!"Have you tried a paleo diet?" no, because I'd like to leave my house, If I just eat protein my stomach will do disgusting things) Don't neglect to read all the diagnosis history- maybe theres a reason I'm not running marathons ("You should take more aerobioc exercise, why not try running?" Because I'm exhausted, and I didn't run anywhere yet- read the memo!)
Read the information on whatever you're trying to prescribe me and check that I can:
a) actually take it with all my other tablets
b) that it won't make me sicker/ fatter.
c) Still do all the things I currently do
And, give me some actually useful advice. I appreciate that people are busy. Doctors are busy dealing with people who are sick. So give me something useful I can do and tell me, on a personal level what I can do.
Generic advice isn't useful.
Having no idea about your patient isn't helpful either.
So, it's pretty safe to say I'm in an awful mood today- More of my life being taken up with medical appointments- and I have to go to the doctors later as we need to discuss sedative options for the procedure next month- I suffer from seizures, you have to be 4 years "fit free" to drive. I currently hold a full driving licence. If the hospital fucks this up I'll have a lovely car shaped ornament in my parking space.
Add to that that the consultant didn't read my notes properly and didn't realise that I only have one fully working lung, I bet they call me back to do an ECG and lung capacity test before they can do this. Less haste more speed please!
It's always interesting. I guess because I look "normal" and I lead a perfectly "normal" life and hold down a professional job people never think to actually read my notes. They assume that I will be "normal".
I forget that these aren't things everyone has- I usually end up mentioning them as an after though "By the way, you did know about.." and then we have to go and have a private chat.
Almost every time they're like "And you're registered disabled right?"
Uh, no.
I am not disabled at all. just a bit mashed.
Sunday, 17 May 2015
Lazy Sunday
We didn't get home from London until almost 1am, which is a very late night for us!
Traff work up- and got up a about 8am, but I slept until 10.
:D
We did all our house chores and then decided to head out to the lake to make the most of the amazing sunshine.
It was a bit of a windy day for paddling today- so I've had a very good workout for my abs! there were other paddle boarders there today as well as the windsurfers- We have envy. One guy was testing out his brand new racing board and new paddles.
He truly put us to shame!
So speedy.
This afternoon I've taught traff to make a pasta bake and watched "A tough of frost". All good :)
Traff work up- and got up a about 8am, but I slept until 10.
:D
We did all our house chores and then decided to head out to the lake to make the most of the amazing sunshine.
It was a bit of a windy day for paddling today- so I've had a very good workout for my abs! there were other paddle boarders there today as well as the windsurfers- We have envy. One guy was testing out his brand new racing board and new paddles.
He truly put us to shame!
So speedy.
This afternoon I've taught traff to make a pasta bake and watched "A tough of frost". All good :)
The Prodigy @ Ally Pally
It's been a crazy kind of day! Normally when we go to gigs in london we go up a bit early and take in the sights,today however, we had to attend to the very important second Norwich Vs Ipswich game- which norwich won.
Traff had som celebratory cigars and we had dinner at home before heading up to London for the gig.
In some ways it feels weirdly like a waste of a train ticket not to spend the day on the tube mooching, on the other hand the prodigy will require dancing, so we will want fresh feet.
:D
I think we made a good choice!
In the end it was irrelevant because the prodigy didn't come on until 9:30pm- they had an amazing light show so they had to wait for it to be dark- Ally Pally has a glass roof... poor venue choice!
The gig was brilliant, they played all the hits and we danced like loons for the whole night.
The crowd wasn't as good as the one in cardiff a few years ago, but the venue was double the size and people seemed a bit tired to be honest by 11pm!
Traff had som celebratory cigars and we had dinner at home before heading up to London for the gig.
In some ways it feels weirdly like a waste of a train ticket not to spend the day on the tube mooching, on the other hand the prodigy will require dancing, so we will want fresh feet.
:D
I think we made a good choice!
In the end it was irrelevant because the prodigy didn't come on until 9:30pm- they had an amazing light show so they had to wait for it to be dark- Ally Pally has a glass roof... poor venue choice!
The gig was brilliant, they played all the hits and we danced like loons for the whole night.
The crowd wasn't as good as the one in cardiff a few years ago, but the venue was double the size and people seemed a bit tired to be honest by 11pm!
Friday, 15 May 2015
Paddle boarding!
Today was beautiful! 17 degrees and warm water!
:D
The only downer on todays paddle boarding session was finding a spider in my wet suit! ugh!
Traff finally completeing a step back turn and not falling in! yaayyy!
This was May's first go at paddle boarding but she was really good- straight up to standing and she tried some tricks too!
Traff and Karl spent more time in the water than they did on their boards today- thankfully the water wasn't freezing cold for a change.
Meeee in my spidery wet suit.. minus the spiders...
Karl having a "relax" having finally extracted himself from the lake... He did manage his step back turn in the end though!
The fist sunny paddle boarding day! it's pretty!
It was so sunny today that for the first time this year we could see the bottom of the lake! not very impressive unfortunately. No tadpoles. just an awful lot of left over bricks from the brickworks.
:D
The only downer on todays paddle boarding session was finding a spider in my wet suit! ugh!
Traff finally completeing a step back turn and not falling in! yaayyy!
Karl's step back turn ended with him in the lake!
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
Clearing the campfire circle
Tats and I spend the evening clearing the campfire circle ready for Monday, and bringing more longs from the top of the woods to the bottom so that we have enough seats for our campfire festival.
When we went and scouted it out 2 weeks ago it looked like quite a quick job- but when we got there today the nettles and cowparsley were as tall as me in some places!
We had to clear the inside of the circle and the bushes behind the log-seats so that no-one gets stung if they turn round quickly.
We also cut back the brambles, cut back some of the trees and moved the seats to make the circle bigger.
This was our starting photo.. well, this was about 20 minutes in when I thought this would be worth documenting as a transformation:
This is Tat's joy dance because we were successful!
Hurrah!
When we went and scouted it out 2 weeks ago it looked like quite a quick job- but when we got there today the nettles and cowparsley were as tall as me in some places!
We had to clear the inside of the circle and the bushes behind the log-seats so that no-one gets stung if they turn round quickly.
We also cut back the brambles, cut back some of the trees and moved the seats to make the circle bigger.
This was our starting photo.. well, this was about 20 minutes in when I thought this would be worth documenting as a transformation:
And this is after 2 hours of very hard work-
This is Tat's joy dance because we were successful!
Hurrah!
Flower crowns
Today we made flower crowns for our festival next monday- As you can see, Tats is delighted with the one I made for her!
:D
Tis hairy string, beads and tissue paper flowers- very effective! The kids loved the flowers- I spent hours trying knots in the end of plaits, holding things to be plaited or unsticking the backing from double sided sellotape to stick the flowers into the beads.
I am chief sellotape unpeeler!
:D
Tis hairy string, beads and tissue paper flowers- very effective! The kids loved the flowers- I spent hours trying knots in the end of plaits, holding things to be plaited or unsticking the backing from double sided sellotape to stick the flowers into the beads.
I am chief sellotape unpeeler!
Tuesday, 12 May 2015
Summer bum!
I've stolen my latest faddy exercise regimen from Buzzfeed- I will be doing 27 days of Squats.
I started today with 10, and did 10 lots of weights too.
It increases daily until you have to do an awful lot of squats.
:S
There had better be some shorts weather this summer now or I'll be furious!
I started today with 10, and did 10 lots of weights too.
It increases daily until you have to do an awful lot of squats.
:S
There had better be some shorts weather this summer now or I'll be furious!
The Word game
Traff and I have accidentally invented a new game- it came from a misunderstanding in a text where I corrected my spelling and Traff used the single word text to create a new sentence.
I'm all for text games! I have unlimited texts but since I got whatsapp I barely send 20 texts per month- I need to up my phone usage!
We've been playing this game for a few days now and managed to remain reasonably high blow, but it has now devolved in to politics and childish remarks- I've also got a few of my colleagues playing the word game now too- I shall await my next text!
Todays game transcript reads like this:
Him: Occipital
Me: The occipital lobe is one of the 4 lobes of the cerebral coretex.
Me: Indubitably
Him: The Conservatives are Indubitably a bunch of wankers
Me: Juxtaposed
Him: The conservatives are juxtaposed to the greens, making them look like a bigger bunch of wankers.
Him: Indelible
Me: The rude symbol drawn on the mans face was there to stay as it was drawn in indelible ink.
Me: Ecumenical
Him: The head of the church is all for Ecumenical thinking.
Him: Lunting
Me: Once his pipe was lit he was able to lunt whilst walking and enjoy his surroundings, Lunting really was a most enjoyable pastime.
Me: Propagate.
And now we await a sentence.
It seems a bit childish and silly, but it has been quite interesting and thinking of unusual words-or receiving texts of unusual words and having to find out their meanings- will improve my rather stagnant vocabulary. I guess with my work I use an awful lot of untaxing vocabulary and an awful lot of science specific vocabulary but no fancy adjectives or anything.
It's probably true for most adults, once you leave education you rarely come across taxing or unucual vocabulary. Just jargon!
Maybe I'll learn something.
I'm all for text games! I have unlimited texts but since I got whatsapp I barely send 20 texts per month- I need to up my phone usage!
We've been playing this game for a few days now and managed to remain reasonably high blow, but it has now devolved in to politics and childish remarks- I've also got a few of my colleagues playing the word game now too- I shall await my next text!
Todays game transcript reads like this:
Him: Occipital
Me: The occipital lobe is one of the 4 lobes of the cerebral coretex.
Me: Indubitably
Him: The Conservatives are Indubitably a bunch of wankers
Me: Juxtaposed
Him: The conservatives are juxtaposed to the greens, making them look like a bigger bunch of wankers.
Him: Indelible
Me: The rude symbol drawn on the mans face was there to stay as it was drawn in indelible ink.
Me: Ecumenical
Him: The head of the church is all for Ecumenical thinking.
Him: Lunting
Me: Once his pipe was lit he was able to lunt whilst walking and enjoy his surroundings, Lunting really was a most enjoyable pastime.
Me: Propagate.
And now we await a sentence.
It seems a bit childish and silly, but it has been quite interesting and thinking of unusual words-or receiving texts of unusual words and having to find out their meanings- will improve my rather stagnant vocabulary. I guess with my work I use an awful lot of untaxing vocabulary and an awful lot of science specific vocabulary but no fancy adjectives or anything.
It's probably true for most adults, once you leave education you rarely come across taxing or unucual vocabulary. Just jargon!
Maybe I'll learn something.
Monday, 11 May 2015
Sunday, 10 May 2015
Traff's Grandad
Today Traff and I went to see Traff's Grandad- He's 94, and frankly what he doesn't know isn't worth knowing.
I always enjoy spending time with him- He and Traff and really close too- because he's so interesting and enthusiastic about everything- he's really quick witted with his humour and cheeky. You can certainly tell that he and Traff and related. And he calls me beautiful. I'm a sucker for a charming man (Yeah, I don't know how I ended up with Traff either as charming he is not!).
We went out for lunch and just walked the afternoon away. He told us about attending school in the east end in the 1930s "They were called eliminatory schools then, and you did english, Maths, Geography and PE- it wasn't like schools now- you left at 14, it was a basic education and you didn't sit any exams." He told us that he was lucky that his school was pretty good. He only realised when he joined the airforce at 18 (WW2) and had to write other peoples letters home because they couldn't.
He told us about being demobbed from the RAF after the war, he said he had a job interview in every new town going (Welwyn garden city, Hemel Hampstead, Hatfield, Hitchin, you name it I applied for factory work there!) but was thwarted by the lack of housing, because he was still living in a tenement in the east end with his wife, 2 small children and 3 other families (like on call the midwife!).
His wife threatened to move hack to wales, and he looked for work in the coalfields but it wasn't to his liking ("too mucky, too much coal and it was all unskilled- by this time I was an aircraft engineer!")
We discussed a great many things. He liked my mobile phone- he describes this as a "space age" because theres so much technology. He's very impressed with it all "Sending emails is much more sensible than having 8 postal collections per day like in the 1930s!".
He also likes mobile phones "You should have seen the size of the thing when we first got on in the 1950s!".
So today, I am well fed and well educated.
And I have some adorable photos of Traff and his parents wedding photo to share.
I sent them to his mum too- she was pleased- She rang to tell Traff how cute he looked!
I always enjoy spending time with him- He and Traff and really close too- because he's so interesting and enthusiastic about everything- he's really quick witted with his humour and cheeky. You can certainly tell that he and Traff and related. And he calls me beautiful. I'm a sucker for a charming man (Yeah, I don't know how I ended up with Traff either as charming he is not!).
We went out for lunch and just walked the afternoon away. He told us about attending school in the east end in the 1930s "They were called eliminatory schools then, and you did english, Maths, Geography and PE- it wasn't like schools now- you left at 14, it was a basic education and you didn't sit any exams." He told us that he was lucky that his school was pretty good. He only realised when he joined the airforce at 18 (WW2) and had to write other peoples letters home because they couldn't.
He told us about being demobbed from the RAF after the war, he said he had a job interview in every new town going (Welwyn garden city, Hemel Hampstead, Hatfield, Hitchin, you name it I applied for factory work there!) but was thwarted by the lack of housing, because he was still living in a tenement in the east end with his wife, 2 small children and 3 other families (like on call the midwife!).
His wife threatened to move hack to wales, and he looked for work in the coalfields but it wasn't to his liking ("too mucky, too much coal and it was all unskilled- by this time I was an aircraft engineer!")
We discussed a great many things. He liked my mobile phone- he describes this as a "space age" because theres so much technology. He's very impressed with it all "Sending emails is much more sensible than having 8 postal collections per day like in the 1930s!".
He also likes mobile phones "You should have seen the size of the thing when we first got on in the 1950s!".
So today, I am well fed and well educated.
And I have some adorable photos of Traff and his parents wedding photo to share.
I sent them to his mum too- she was pleased- She rang to tell Traff how cute he looked!
Norwich Vs Ipswich
Traff and I went to the pub to watch the Championship Cup semi final, for a place in the premier league.
Obviously, Traff was hoping for a Norwich win.
He ended up with a draw and we made friends with lots of people in the pub. Mostly people who were wearing Ipswich shirts and wanted to talk about team strengths and tactics, We also met with some of Traff's colleagues.
I do sort of understand the rules of football. I enjoy watching live football but I struggle to follow it on the TV.
I think I need all the singing and the atmosphere of a match to really emotionally invest myself in the game.
Norwich are always fun to watch because even when they're playing really badly and losing, the fans don't stop singing.
Obviously, Traff was hoping for a Norwich win.
He ended up with a draw and we made friends with lots of people in the pub. Mostly people who were wearing Ipswich shirts and wanted to talk about team strengths and tactics, We also met with some of Traff's colleagues.
I do sort of understand the rules of football. I enjoy watching live football but I struggle to follow it on the TV.
I think I need all the singing and the atmosphere of a match to really emotionally invest myself in the game.
Norwich are always fun to watch because even when they're playing really badly and losing, the fans don't stop singing.
VE day
Friday marked 70 years since the end of the Second World War (Victory in Europe).
There were all sorts of speeches and fireworks yesterday (Sadly overshadowed by a shite election result) and today Traff's Brothers are off to an Army Vs Navy Rugby match and there are lots of 1940s inspired events in Bedfordshire- Home of the 1940s reenactment!
20 years ago (I know, that makes me feel old) My Sister, Our Friends Sammie and Alex and I took part in the Street party in Didcot to mark 50 years since VE day (I was 7 and she was 5). They closed the main road through the town and set up long tables- mostly borrowed from the local schools., People brought plates of food and we had a massive street party with bunting and silly games. We sat at a table outside WH Smiths.
:)
I didn't really understand it's significance at the time, As a kid it was just a massive party. I remember it, not totally clearly but perhaps because it's an unusual thing to do- to sit at a table which is 3 miles long in the middle of the main road!
My mum had promised (Threatened) to dig out the photos, Apparently I didn't like my hat at the time.. My mum made it from prima pattern... I'd happily wear it now! (I think I was always a bit jealous of Rays green dotty hat.. Red has never really been my colour.)
There were all sorts of speeches and fireworks yesterday (Sadly overshadowed by a shite election result) and today Traff's Brothers are off to an Army Vs Navy Rugby match and there are lots of 1940s inspired events in Bedfordshire- Home of the 1940s reenactment!
20 years ago (I know, that makes me feel old) My Sister, Our Friends Sammie and Alex and I took part in the Street party in Didcot to mark 50 years since VE day (I was 7 and she was 5). They closed the main road through the town and set up long tables- mostly borrowed from the local schools., People brought plates of food and we had a massive street party with bunting and silly games. We sat at a table outside WH Smiths.
:)
I didn't really understand it's significance at the time, As a kid it was just a massive party. I remember it, not totally clearly but perhaps because it's an unusual thing to do- to sit at a table which is 3 miles long in the middle of the main road!
My mum had promised (Threatened) to dig out the photos, Apparently I didn't like my hat at the time.. My mum made it from prima pattern... I'd happily wear it now! (I think I was always a bit jealous of Rays green dotty hat.. Red has never really been my colour.)
Saturday, 9 May 2015
Paddle boarding
Friday we not the nicest day. it wasn't windy, but it was grey and rainy. That said we still had an ace turn out! Me, Traff, Both Karl's, Tina and Jamie.
No photos this time- It's hard enough to get a decent photo with the spray from the water on a flat-ish day- not a hope in hell in the rain!
Once we'd got in and showered the sun came out and the lake looked far more appealing! Sods law!
Jamie hadn't been before and spent an awful lot of time in the lake- he described paddle boarding as "like skate boarding on jelly".
I think thats a fair analogy.
It didn't feel windy but the lake was pretty wavey- Only Tina and I didn't fall in and that is probably because we spent more time kneeling than standing.
Traff has mastered the paddle board forward roll.
It's impressive.
After paddling Traff and I went to Morrisons to get some bits, and we decided to get salad bar for dinner- we both got an extra large salad box. I've nver had a salad box before, I was pretty impressed actually. for £3 it's an awful lot of food!
I couldn't eat all of mine.
I'm saving the cous cous and pesto pasta for Saturday evening.
Thursday, 7 May 2015
The General Election
I have voted. Traff and I used the postal vote for ours because he works shifts and every other Thursday I work an 11 hour day so it would have made casting my vote a little bit tricky.
I will be grateful when all this election hoo-haa is over, I'm getting a bit sick of all the canvassing and cartoons- Yesterday someone rang me to try and convince me to vote conservative! haha no chance! Our post box is always full of political rubbish, we don't even bring it indoors, we take it straight to the bin.
Traff got so fed up with how much UKIP stuff he was getting he wrote and asked them to stop sending him anything, so now we just get 2 copies addressed to me!
Touche UKIP postal monkey.
I always think that politics is a very dangerous topic. I know at least when I'm at work that everyone will be a left wing voter and even with everyones political views being similar it's lead to a load of arguments!
Social media has been doing my head in too.
I just want to shake some of my friends and tell them to get a grip. you having a very one sided pop at another party as your status just because you don't plan to vote for them won't deter anyone, it'll just make them hope you stand on a plug or a lego or something for being such a total moron.
I'm not being drawn into any political discussion. I voted Green. I like their policies and they seem like they have their heads screwed on. They represent what I want for myself and for others. And yes, I know they won't get a majority but I do hope they get a few seats to counter some of very right wing representatives of other parties. At this stage I cannot see any party getting an overall majority so we're most likely in for another coalition- I'll be happy as long as UKIP get a kicking at the polls!
I'm off kickboxing later to vent some of my frustrations! I just want to know who's won now. Then I can either be relieved or lament the future of our country and plan my escape.
I will be grateful when all this election hoo-haa is over, I'm getting a bit sick of all the canvassing and cartoons- Yesterday someone rang me to try and convince me to vote conservative! haha no chance! Our post box is always full of political rubbish, we don't even bring it indoors, we take it straight to the bin.
Traff got so fed up with how much UKIP stuff he was getting he wrote and asked them to stop sending him anything, so now we just get 2 copies addressed to me!
Touche UKIP postal monkey.
I always think that politics is a very dangerous topic. I know at least when I'm at work that everyone will be a left wing voter and even with everyones political views being similar it's lead to a load of arguments!
Social media has been doing my head in too.
I just want to shake some of my friends and tell them to get a grip. you having a very one sided pop at another party as your status just because you don't plan to vote for them won't deter anyone, it'll just make them hope you stand on a plug or a lego or something for being such a total moron.
I'm not being drawn into any political discussion. I voted Green. I like their policies and they seem like they have their heads screwed on. They represent what I want for myself and for others. And yes, I know they won't get a majority but I do hope they get a few seats to counter some of very right wing representatives of other parties. At this stage I cannot see any party getting an overall majority so we're most likely in for another coalition- I'll be happy as long as UKIP get a kicking at the polls!
I'm off kickboxing later to vent some of my frustrations! I just want to know who's won now. Then I can either be relieved or lament the future of our country and plan my escape.
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
Presents :)
Today at work I received a Thank you present and a home made card which was totally unexpected! I was just doing my job, but I'm really pleased that it was appreciated.
:)
Today I'm feeling valued.
:)
Today I'm feeling valued.
Monday, 4 May 2015
Paddle boarding
It was windy though and for once the wind shadow was the wrong side of the lake from the jetty so getting the boards into the water was a nightmare- 6ft board + strong wind = accidental adventure.
As I went to get into the water the wind caught the board and dragged me in up to my waist.
Not my favourite start to a session!
It wasn't as cold as I had expected but I did have very cold feet by the end of the hour.
Before we went out, Emma was telling us the advantages of wearing a wet suit if you come off and get caught by the fins from another board (not SUP- they have teeny flexible fat fins and do like 3mph unless you're some kind of pro, but windsurfers or surf boards) because it acts as a tourniquet.
Her rule of thumb is that if something has cut your suit you probably need stitches so don't even try and look- just get out and get someone to do first aid.
This was followed by several horrible anecdotal stories.
We almost lost enthusiasm for going out whilst there were windsurfers on the water!
Saturday, 2 May 2015
The food adventure
I had a right day today- I had a violin lesson this morning, but managed to leave the house without my violin and have to come back for it.
We're working on lots of bluegrass/folk stuff so thankfully it's not very technically challenging as my head was totally in the shed this morning.
When I got home Traff had tidied the whole house and was moping about with nothing to do. We had planned to go to see the forest of Marston Vale, but we took the wrong exit off the dual carriage way and ended up on a bit of a mystery tour.
We drove all round rural bedfordshire, saw lots of quaint Villages, Had a pint in a quaint put and found an even better forrest walk and we found a bric-a-brac place.
Traff wouldn't pull over to let me shop for tat.
:(
We ended up in Kempston, so we tried out "Simply Veggie". Traff has wanted to go for ages as he's fed up of eating "vegi suprime" pizzas and vegi burgers whenever we go out anywhere.
The food was awesome- It is both delicious and plentiful.
The starter was so huge I couldn't finish it- it was actually a vegan samosa but it came with a chick pea salad.
sooo many chick peas you can't even see the samosa!
I ended up leaving loads of it as I was full- and I barely made a dent in my lentil dhal main- They boxed up our left overs for us to have at home- thats my dinner sorted for Saturday!
We got home and I hadn't even taken my coat off when Traff was like "You know what I really fancy?- Coconut ice cream"
So, off we went again!
We tried waitrose and they only had coconut and lime- Tescos came up trumps but I think we'd have tried every supermarket in town until we found it. Good thing it was "second time lucky".
So, Saturday night is food coma night. TV and a nap please!
We're working on lots of bluegrass/folk stuff so thankfully it's not very technically challenging as my head was totally in the shed this morning.
When I got home Traff had tidied the whole house and was moping about with nothing to do. We had planned to go to see the forest of Marston Vale, but we took the wrong exit off the dual carriage way and ended up on a bit of a mystery tour.
We drove all round rural bedfordshire, saw lots of quaint Villages, Had a pint in a quaint put and found an even better forrest walk and we found a bric-a-brac place.
Traff wouldn't pull over to let me shop for tat.
:(
We ended up in Kempston, so we tried out "Simply Veggie". Traff has wanted to go for ages as he's fed up of eating "vegi suprime" pizzas and vegi burgers whenever we go out anywhere.
The food was awesome- It is both delicious and plentiful.
The starter was so huge I couldn't finish it- it was actually a vegan samosa but it came with a chick pea salad.
sooo many chick peas you can't even see the samosa!
I ended up leaving loads of it as I was full- and I barely made a dent in my lentil dhal main- They boxed up our left overs for us to have at home- thats my dinner sorted for Saturday!
We got home and I hadn't even taken my coat off when Traff was like "You know what I really fancy?- Coconut ice cream"
So, off we went again!
We tried waitrose and they only had coconut and lime- Tescos came up trumps but I think we'd have tried every supermarket in town until we found it. Good thing it was "second time lucky".
So, Saturday night is food coma night. TV and a nap please!
Paddle boarding
Friday was a surprisingly good day for a paddle- the weather forecast said winds of 20 Km/h and huge grey clouds made it look like it was going to rain.
We were depleted- only Karl, Tina and I- and I didn't take the camera as I half expected to pussy out if it was really awful (That and if it's raining, all you can see is the rain on the camera lens).
We arrived, and the lake was mill pond still because of the wind shadow from the hills - the bottom of the lake was windy as there were fewer hills to cover it, So we had a good work out- but the top part of the lake was prefect for trying new things. I wished I'd brought the camera as the lake was so still you could see to the bottom- all the plants and little fish. We also saw nesting Canada geese and theres a nesting pair of swans in the reeds- not to mention that the setting sun over the lake was really pretty!
Karl tried to teach Tina how to do a step back turn- They both ended up in the lake- that is why I am the only dry person in this photo:
incidentally, I'm not sure anyone looks good in a wet suit.
:S
Here is how the step back turn should be done- incase you were curious. We just step back, lose our balance and fall off the back of the board into the water.
Super pro.
We were invited to join the race meetings on Tuesdays- I'm not sure that I'm anything like good enough to compete in a race but I'd like to see how it all works.
I'll let you know if I'm brave enough to go!
We were depleted- only Karl, Tina and I- and I didn't take the camera as I half expected to pussy out if it was really awful (That and if it's raining, all you can see is the rain on the camera lens).
We arrived, and the lake was mill pond still because of the wind shadow from the hills - the bottom of the lake was windy as there were fewer hills to cover it, So we had a good work out- but the top part of the lake was prefect for trying new things. I wished I'd brought the camera as the lake was so still you could see to the bottom- all the plants and little fish. We also saw nesting Canada geese and theres a nesting pair of swans in the reeds- not to mention that the setting sun over the lake was really pretty!
Karl tried to teach Tina how to do a step back turn- They both ended up in the lake- that is why I am the only dry person in this photo:
incidentally, I'm not sure anyone looks good in a wet suit.
:S
Here is how the step back turn should be done- incase you were curious. We just step back, lose our balance and fall off the back of the board into the water.
Super pro.
I'll let you know if I'm brave enough to go!
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