Saturday 31 October 2009

Happy Halloween


Happy Halloween everybody. Hope you all have a spooky time. We are going out for dinner ( no fat and no wine for me- that's terrifying enough in my opinion but not long to go now I suppose............).
We have had a good day Lake District sight seeing with our lovely Australian exchange student. Fabulous autumn colours and spooky Halloween mist. Hope to show you some pictures tomorrow.

Thursday 29 October 2009

It's confirmed

The call came today. My operation to get rid of the evil gallbladder is in the diary. It is confirmed as November 11th. Two weeks time. I go in -have the operation- spend one night in hospital- and come home.

I never thought I would be excited about an operation- but I just can't wait. I pray it all works out ok.

Tuesday 27 October 2009

Blood sports

My poor boy has been in the wars again. After scaring me recently with a potential broken rib incident, he decided to dislocate his shoulder on Sunday. X rays, laughing gas and a sling later and we are back on course to normality.
Is he particularly accident prone? I hear you all cry. Is he clumsy? Is he just unlucky?
No
He plays rugby. Enough said.
It is a true blood sport.
I think you have to be a little mad to play it frankly.

Monday 26 October 2009

Daddy - how was I born?

A little boy goes to his father and asks "Daddy, how was I born?"

The father answers, Well, son, I guess one day you will need to find out anyway! Your Mum and I first got together in a chat room on Yahoo.

Then I set up a date via email with your Mum and we met at a cyber-cafe.

We sneaked into a secluded room, where your mother agreed to a download from my hard drive.

As soon as I was ready to upload, we discovered that neither one of us had used a firewall, and since it was too late to hit the delete button, nine months later a little 'Pop-Up' appeared that said................

YOU GOT MALE!

Sunday 25 October 2009


We went to the Trafford Centre yesterday in Manchester and a good time was had by all. Here is a lovely pic of teen and his exchange partner outside Selfridges. They went to the cinema, went shopping and had KFC. Teenager heaven?
Other half and I went to Yo Sushi, bought some birthday presents and pottered around. It was very busy, very hot and very wet outside. Reminds me not to venture back on a Saturday now til after Christmas.
Teenager is proudly wearing his Newcastle United top. After all, they are top of the Championship table

Wednesday 21 October 2009

Wednesday update

First of all and before I forget. Why not hop across to Pond Parleys today to have a look. Co written by Expat Mum ( see blog list) and Mike Harling it's a great read, exploring the special relationship and differences between the UK and the US. Enjoy. The current host culture post is great fun.


All is going pretty well here. I couldn't say I would give it a ten out of ten, but it's a whole lot better than last week's 'tough week'. Teenager and exchange partner are still having a great time. On half term holiday, and enjoying the chill out. Sleep in late in the morning, late breakfast, late lunch etc, hang out with mates when they get back from school ( teenager gets two weeks off at this time of year for some obscure reason- other local schools are still working this week). They have had a few outings too. Yesterday to Kendal, the other day to the cinema, and tomorrow ( cue large sigh from me) a trip to Blackpool. At least we will get to see the famous Blackpool illuminations.


The weather is hugely disappointing this week. Damp and cold. It has been pretty well behaved recently so I hope it is just a pre- Blackpool blip.

Digestively things seem to be pretty calm I am delighted to report. I seem to have got the diet cracked and have found things that seem to suit the gall bladder well. It's very boring but better than pain. No confirmation on the operation yet...it seems to be creeping ever further towards Christmas. Speaking of the latter ....it has hit bigtime over here now. Cards, wrapping, three for two gift sets and baubles galore ( and it's still only October-sigh).

Tuesday 20 October 2009

what on earth?

Apparently, this is a bridge of teenagers. A competition to see how long they could stay up. Just after this the bridge collapsed.
My teenager is in the middle! Taken on the recent Duke of Edinburgh trip.
Our lovely Australian visitor ( on the right) must think we are all quite mad

Saturday 17 October 2009

a tough week

Folks- it's been a tough week. I am sure you have all had them. Sometimes we have a month of them. Sometimes even a year of them. Had that experience?

But it's been interesting and I have learnt a lot. It hasn't been wasted. That's one thing I have learnt over the last forty odd years: life can be damned difficult, and painful, but there's always something to learn if you are prepared to look for it.

To encapsulate. First of all, after my lovely day on Monday on which I felt great, I started to feel poorly and tired. Learning? I just went with it and rested when I could. I am waiting surgery, and I just need to be patient and manage on a day to day basis as best I can.

Secondly, I found out my operation has been put back a week, so it's now mid November rather than at the beginning. And it's not confirmed yet. Learning? Patience. There are folk in a lot worse of situation who need the slot. I will manage. It will pass.

Thirdly, I have had really tough news on a few friends of mine and their health. You know who you are. I am praying for you and sending positive energy. Learning? I am reminded how important my friends are to me and how much I love them. And that life is really painful sometimes and how we need to support each other through hard times. I have also learnt just how important my faith is to me, and how much strength I get from it.

And finally, we got disappointing news about a piece of work that we hoped to get and didn't. We will find out why on Tuesday. It has been a tough week in the business generally: waiting for answers, waiting for decisions, lots of hope and interest but not the action we had hoped for yet. We are opening our own training room soon, and it is a big step and a marvellous opportunity, but with any big step its a challenge. Exciting and scarey at the same time.

Learning? Where do I start? How much my attitude has changed in the last few years. I think bigger, I think more creatively, I am more bullish, I have real confidence in what I can do, what other half can do, what our wonderful team can do, what the business can do. And I have learnt from the past that playing it small often brings you what you are trying to avoid. Trying to stay safe can be dangerous. Keeping it small can keep it vulnerable. And also that it's ok to fail, as long as you are trying and learning and doing your very best.

I am re-visiting my old favourite book of business and personal effectiveness: 'The seven habits of highly effective people'. For me, it's still the best and it is incredibly inspirational. If you don't know it, I highly recommend it.

Tuesday 13 October 2009

Pea's birthday party



What a great post- if you need cheering up visit Pea. If you like sweeties and cakes all the better.
All the best people have their birthdays in October -discuss.

Happy Birthday to me!

I was 45yrs old yesterday and to celebrate ( remembering I can't drink or eat delicious goodies) I decided that I would like to go out for a walk in the autumn sunshine. We went to one of my favourite places in the world: Lake Ullswater. Check out the pictures below- what a delight and a privilege to live so near such wonderful scenery.

We walked about 4 miles altogether which I was pretty proud of considering my rather shakey state of health. It felt really good being nearly five stone lighter. Just call me a mountain goat. I climbed up a stile to take this picture of my other half: no wonder he is smiling so much seeing me up there!
If I could live anywhere it would be Ullswater because of the scenery, but it's pretty remote for a family with an extroverted teenage boy who loves to see friends and play sport.

Perhaps it would be a little remote for me too if I am honest, but you have to admit, its beautiful isn't it?

When I was having my cancer treatment and feeling very low, I used to shut my eyes and imagine myself looking out on this view and breathing in the fresh air.

It was a wonderful feeling to actually be there after all that imagining. The weather was perfect for walking. Sunny and warm at times, but with a chilly wind to keep me cool ( check out the pink fleece- bought this year in San Fran Cisco- it is freezing there!).


Next time I would like to do the whole of the Ullswater shore walk- about seven/ eight miles with some rugged terrain. Will have to work towards that as a goal.
Had a lovely birthday and had a very happy time. Lots of flowers, cards and wonderful gifts. I feel very blessed and happy. Thanks to all of you who made a fuss of me.

Saturday 10 October 2009

Apollo 11- a true story


ON JULY 20, 1969 , COMMANDER OF THE APOLLO 11 LUNAR MODULE, NEIL ARMSTRONG WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO SET FOOT ON THE MOON.

HIS FIRSTWORDS AFTER STEPPING ON THE MOON, 'THAT'S ONE SMALL STEP FOR MAN, ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND,' WERE TELEVISED TO EARTH AND HEARD BY MILLIONS. BUT JUST BEFORE HE RE-ENTERED THE LANDER, HE MADE THE ENIGMATIC REMARK, 'GOOD LUCK MR.GORSKY.'

MANY PEOPLE AT NASA THOUGHT IT WAS A CASUAL REMARK CONCERNING SOME RIVAL SOVIET COSMONAUT. HOWEVER, UPON CHECKING, THERE WAS NO GORSKY IN EITHER THE RUSSIAN OR AMERICAN SPACE PROGRAMS.

OVER THE YEARS MANY PEOPLE QUESTIONED ARMSTRONG AS TO WHAT THE 'GOOD LUCK, MR. GORSKY... STATEMENT MEANT, BUT ARMSTRONG ALWAYS JUST SMILED.

ON JULY 5, 1995 , IN TAMPA BAY , FLORIDA , WHILE ANSWERING QUESTIONS FOLLOWING A SPEECH, A REPORTER BROUGHT UP THE 26-YEAR-OLD QUESTION TO ARMSTRONG. THIS TIME HE FINALLY RESPONDED.

MR. GORSKY HAD DIED, SO NEIL ARMSTRONG FELT HE COULD ANSWER THE QUESTION.

IN 1938 WHEN HE WAS A KID IN A SMALL MIDWEST TOWN , HE WAS PLAYING BASEBALL WITH A FRIEND IN THE BACKYARD.

HIS FRIEND HIT THE BALL, WHICH LANDED IN HIS NEIGHBOR'S YARD BY THE BEDROOM WINDOWS. HIS NEIGHBORS WERE MR. AND MRS.GORSKY.

AS HE LEANED DOWN TO PICK UP THE BALL, YOUNG ARMSTRONG HEARD MRS. GORSKY SHOUTING AT MR. GORSKY.

'SEX! YOU WANT SEX?! YOU'LL GET SEX WHEN THE KID NEXT DOOR WALKS ON THE MOON!'

Brilliant poem

Travelling typhoon sent me this poem - it's fabulous. It reminds me of my English Grad days.
Just about somes it up for me.
Thanks for the inspiration.



If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain:
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
-Emily Dickinson

Thursday 8 October 2009

Happy!

Left to right: our wonderful exchange visitor J, teenager and his best mate D. What a brilliant picture- it makes me really happy. They all get on so well and we are having a lovely time.


Wednesday 7 October 2009

Live Strong

Please pop over to L'optimiste's blog today folks and read her posting on LIVESTRONG. This subject is a personal passion of mine- I have posted about it before. Reading it again this morning makes me realise how lucky I am to live somewhere where there is a national health service.
We have had so much trouble with insurance companies ( for income protection claims while sick etc) I have no trust in them WHATSOEVER. The thought of trusting them with my health makes my hair stand right on end!
No doubt about it- if I had been left at the mercy of health insurers with my medical history I would not be here blogging now.

Tuesday 6 October 2009

Leaving on a jet plane?


I turned on our local news channel today and had to snigger. They eyes were indeed rolling. I was sighing. Apparently Carlisle Airport is hoping to start offering a passenger service by the end of next year.
So why the hilarity? Because this has been going on as long as I can remember. Definitely since I lived in Cumbria ( sixteen years), as long as I have owned property in Cumbria ( nearly twenty years) and probably longer.....
Don't get me wrong - I would love it. Carlisle is an hour's drive from us. It would be really handy if it offers a decent service. It would be our nearest airport. If it happens I will more than happy. Problem is- I will believe it when I see it.
I am not holding my breath. Interested to see what Hadriana, Expat Mum and Fat, Frumpy and Fifty have to say about it.

Monday 5 October 2009

Sugar Free Week

Ok Ok. If you look at Thursday's post you will see that I think I am eating too much sugar. So this week it stops. I am going cold turkey except on fruit to see what happens.I am also cutting down on the carbs. So expect a post with me shreiking and whining tomorrow. And there's also the walk I am going to do every day- expect a report soon to tell you I am doing it and how far I have gone ( don't hold your breath!).



Had a great weekend with the boys. Other half and I took teenager and his Australian exchange partner to Newcastle for the weekend. On Saturday we went to watch NUFC versus Bristol City which ended in a draw. ( BOOOOOO!) It was an exciting match at times and we had fun.



On Saturday night we went to TGI Friday's and the others had loads of stuff that made me drool such as ribs, steaks and burgers. I had plain prawns, a few bits of chicken and lettuce. I was so worried about getting an attack of pain ( I had a bad one on Friday with no sign of what caused it- rather worrying). I finished it off with peppermint tea. Had a good time though and I enjoyed hearing the boys chatting about their adventures at school, both this side of the world and the other.


On Sunday, we went to see the Newcastle Falcons ( rugby union) play Saracens. Boy was it a frustrating hair ripping game. They played well in the first half, but must have sent out a different team in the second half. It was really dire. My blood pressure reading must have soared. Those of you who support a team- you know what I mean when that happens? It is infuriating.

Anyway, we are back home and facing a busy interesting week. I better go and get on with it.

Friday 2 October 2009

Opinions Saturday week three


So let's find out what you think about .....
....( my opinions are in brackets ....)

Crisps ( I love them but don't eat them- especially at the moment)

Formula One- (too noisey! Not keen.)

Gardening- haven't a clue what I am doing but like the garden to look nice. Luckily my wonderful pal A is a gardener- aren't I spoilt? I wonder if I would get into it if I had more time. My lovely friend B in Seattle is a fabulous gardener, and very good at it. My favourite aunt is also rather green of finger...

Ironing- loathesome. Horrible. Soul destroying. Do it all and then have to do it all again the week after? Could anything be more depressing? I send mine out.

Newspapers- not much patience with them. I have a brief scan, but hate the feel of print on my fingers and it makes me sneeze.

Cars - I love them. The bigger, faster and sleeker the better. I lust after them up and down the motorway. If I was a millionaire I would have one for every day of the week.

Christmas - I miss my dad so much at this time of year I find it hard. I also find all the hype very tedious. I was chatting to my friends the other day, and many of them admitted that they find the holiday really stressful. Too much spending, cooking, clearing, overindulging and keeping the peace. The weather and dark are horrible at this time of year so the Christmas tree lights and candles are lovely, and I enjoy my carols. I love spending Christmas away- if I can't get to Florida and the sunshine, I like to go to a hotel in Scotland with the boys and mum and just chill out. After busy months in the business ( usually September to December) I am ready to take some time out and relax. Not my favourite time of year by any means, but it has its highlights.

Let's hear about you folks?

Thursday 1 October 2009

sugar

For those of you who are regular followers-you will know that I am currently not drinking alcohol and eating a restricted no fat diet. I am a walking advert for a healthy diet. I eat so much fish these days I probably will develop gills. So much chicken- I will develop feathers. Industrial quantities of salad, vegetables and wholegrains disappear down this throat these days.

So you would think that this lady, sitting drinking a coffee with skimmed milk, would be pencil thin. Like Kate Moss and so forth.

Not a bit of it.

I am still three stone overweight, and while I am not putting any weight on, I am now not losing it.

I am living proof that a healthy diet is not the route to losing weight, but keeping it off.
So- more examination needed. What can I do to further help my cause?

I have identified two things. One- I am not doing enough exercise. At the moment I am really not physically robust enough to do anything radical but I could walk a lot more, and I could swim. I could do some gentle stretching. I could move more. I know it helps, I know it helps a lot.

Secondly, and more importantly, I need to look at my SUGAR intake. I don't eat chocolate because of the gall stone problems but to be honest it's not a passion of mine really. I don't miss it, but I never ate a lot anyway. If someone said I could never eat it again it wouldn't really bother me folks.

However, the gallstones don't seem to mind tooty fruities, skittles and fruity sweets. The odd biscuit seems to be ok too, and even a low fat cake. With all the fruit I am already eating, I think I am overdoing the sugar. I have said it. The culprit is sugar .... or should I say the culprit is me.

So, what now? From Monday I am going to kick all sugar other than fruit sugar into touch. It is being cut out.... and I am going to start walking every day. Even half a mile. Rain or shine I am getting out there.

I have a month til my operation, and I have time to get half a stone off. This will help me and I am determined to do it.

No fat. No read meat. Nothing fried. No alcohol. No sugar. I think you could be reading the post of a saint in the making.


The Saint