29/11/2008 by Aileen.

Not that happy with my flower, but I can only improve. Might try to think of something Christmasy (baubles?) and make cards. However, it would have to have an overall religious theme.

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29/11/2008 by Aileen.

First I’d like to say that I’ve been to the dentist, done the weekend shopping, put on a wash, and cooked us a boiled egg for lunch. So making a Mick Mouse entirely with shapes in Word does not mean I’m a lazy old so-and-so.

This afternoon I’m gonna study for OU. (Finish off chapter on Points of View) and start the chapter on Showing and Telling. I am also gonna remind myself of how to make Mandalas in Photoshop, so I can decorate my other website. Might post some on here too.

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28/11/2008 by Aileen.

Gardening can damage your health. I had a tiny insect bite (or maybe a thorn) just over a week ago, and just look at it now.

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28/11/2008 by Aileen.

I’ve had two endoscopies before. (Three counting the first - which had to be abandoned as my throat was so inflamed.) I normally have sedation as Kev (bro) said he knew someone who had just the throat spray and it was the worst 5 minutes of his life.

Well, my appt. was postponed to the afternoon as they were short staffed. It was supposed to be 2.30 but I got to see the nurse at 3.30. She was really pushing the spray, saying it would be over and done with in 5 minutes, whereas if I had sedation I would have to hang around for half an hour and be groggy for a bit. I insisted on sedation, and she accepted it, writing it down in my notes. Then I felt sorry for the staff. I was second last patient, and they would obviously want to go home, so I changed my mind and said I would just have the spray. It was horrible. My pulse went up to 150 and the alarm kept going off. I thought, next bit is the flatliner.

Afterwards I heard the nurse joking that she had told the reception staff that the last patient had wanted sedation and also needed an ambulance for taking home. So I was right that they really didn’t want to hang around with a groggy patient.

Anyway, back to normal now, and I’m in a better way than this morning. Just the dentist tomorrow morning. Oh well.

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28/11/2008 by Aileen.

I’m feeling a bit sorry for myself. I have an endoscopy today at 11.15 and have had to stop eating and drinking from, like,  now. (Four hours earlier.) Although the endoscopy isn’t too bad - had two a couple of years ago - I’m still a bit jittery.

Also, I had a dental checkup last night - new dentist - and he said everything was ok, then noticed that I hadn’t had an xray for a few years, so he gave me a couple. And he discovered ’something suspicious’ so now I have to go back on Saturday morning for another xray.

Also, also!!! I got an insect bite on my shin when I was gardening over a week ago, and the redness around the spot is growing. And it’s so itchy. I suppose I ought to get it sorted, but haven’t time today as I’m at the hospital

Still, I’m really up to date with my OU, and I have sorted my Photoshop catalogue (tagged all photos and deleted many)

Even more positive, well for me, is that I’m not in Mumbai or Bangkok. Or lots of other places. It’s too painful to think about and I feel so helpless. I sent off £100 to Christian Aid for aid to the people (well some of them!) of the DRC, but then I spent £400 on a compact camera, so could well have given £500. Oh well. I’d better log off. Too depressed today.

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26/11/2008 by Aileen.

Well, it’s Wednesday, and I still don’t really feel like writing, but I’m gonna make an effort.

Ali, Eric and kids came on Friday evening, and we chilled. We also chilled on Saturday. Went to the playground at the end of the road. The pictures prove it.

Martin and Fiona came really late on Saturday night, but we all got up reasonably early on Sunday. It was snowing! Not much, but it settled for a bit. I have the photos to prove it!

I took Liam to Mass, where I did the Children’s Liturgy, and when we got home we went for a walk (once the food was cooking) Here are more photos to show I’m not lying!

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25/11/2008 by Aileen.

I heard something really sad yesterday, and I can’t stop thinking about it, but can’t write about it as it would be betraying confidences. It made me realise just how cathartic it is to write about things.

We had a lovely weekend with the family. Will have to write about it when I’m in the mood.

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20/11/2008 by Aileen.

MONDAY. Dusting and hoovering á la Flylady. Into Hull with John as he had dental appt. and was a bit worried about transferring out of car into wheelchair on his own. His fears were justified and he nearly fell out. I have no strength whatsoever, but we managed to get him into wheelchair somehow.

From there we went to York Designer Centre for lunch at Pret á Manger and did a little Christmas shopping. (Against my principles, as I think Christmas shouldn’t last more than a month. For heaven’s sake there are only 12 months in a year. I like to start preparing when Advent starts.)

Camera Club in the evening - my first attendance since the summer. A few new people. Nice atmosphere. Just a question and answer session, followed by a critique of peoples’ photos.

TUESDAY. Ooh er. What did I do? Oh yes, lots of OU work (writing) and some gardening. Just the front, which isn’t looking too bad. Bulbs peeping through. Back garden is a wild animal’s wilderness.

WEDNESDAY. Birding at Far Ings. Saw marsh harrier, goldeneye, long-tailed tits, among other usual suspects.

In the afternoon it was back to the dentist with John, and he didn’t fall out this time. As it was a longish appt. I went into Hull centre and collected my opal ring which was being mended, (I’d lost a stone) and had a look round the new St. Stephen’s Centre. Hull wasn’t too crowded - probably as people are going in today for the turning on of the lights.

Early evening - Slimming World, where I found I had only maintained last week’s weight. Oh well. I had a good week’s eating!

I should have gone to Frank’s (photography friend) birthday party at a pub somewhere, but I didn’t know which one, and completely forgot about it until Kate texted me. I was too tired to turn out again. It was probably at least twenty miles away.

THURSDAY. And here I am today. I’m gonna turn off the laptop in a minute until I’ve planned for weekend. (Have to do it now as I’m at Creative Writing tomorrow morning, and I arranged to have lunch with Val afterwards.)

It’s going to be a great weekend, in honour of John’s being out of hosptial.  Ali, Eric and kids are coming on Friday, but Martin and Fiona aren’t coming until Saturday evening as Martin is going to the rugby at Cardiff in the afternoon. They will only overlap on the Sunday, as Ali, Eric and kids have work/school on the Monday. Martin is his own boss, and Fiona doesn’t work,( although she does cram a hell of a lot into her week.)

Anyway, I have to plan the menu (Ali’s a veggie) and go shopping. Hope to do a little gardening too, as it’s such a lovely day. So it’s goodbye computer. See ya later.

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16/11/2008 by Aileen.

My first day back at my own parish. (Should have gone last week but slept through alarm so went to Hessle parish instead)

No organist, so new parish priest started first hymn - far too high. He did the same for the second hymn. By the Communion hymn the two elderly gentlemen who sit behind me obviously thought enough was enough, and started the hymn before Fr Atkinson had a chance. Only they started it way too low!

For the recessional hymn Father announced the number, but there was silence. Eventually there were a few sheepish cries of, ‘We don’t know it.’. Then, elderly gentleman called out that it went to the same tune as ‘The Church’s One Foundation.’ I knew the words wouldn’t fit, but up starts gentleman for a few phrases and everyone follows him, only to petre out when they discovered the words didn’t fit.

So Father processed out to a chorus of laughter.

Then a couple in the front saved the morning by starting off a new hymn - Do Not Be Afraid- and everyone joined in with gusto. Well, maybe some left, but everyone seemed to stay and sing.

It was so lovely to be back home in this great little parish. It’s warm and friendly, and it was nice seeing everyone again.

Later this morning I did some weeding in the front garden as it’s a lovely day. We’ve just had pizza and salad, and I’m having a siesta (well, writing this)

We’re having roast pork tonight, and when I can get up off my derriere I shall do some more weeding.

John is re-organising his cupboards!

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15/11/2008 by Aileen.

But don’t know how the house can be so untidy after all the work I did on Monday. Well, I suppose I have been stuck to the computer. I am so in love love with my new anonymous website. I feel like telling everyone what it’s called. But I mustn’t.

Anyway, I had a quick tidy-up today and the house isn’t so bad after all. Must get on with my Creative Writing course as I should be on Week 7 now. Oh world, I’m sorry this is so boring. Would you like me to make something up?

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