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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31/12/2007 by Aileen.

2007 is nearly over. It’s been a wonderful year. I love living up here in Yorkshire. Although I loved teaching it’s great being retired (and obviously having a pension to enjoy - it wouldn’t be much fun without that) Christmas was great this year. Ali and Eric did us proud. Fantastic food and company. The grandchildren were little darlings(or maybe I’m biased.) It was great having Martin and Fiona there as well, although poor Martin was suffering. He gave it to Fiona, and then John got it. He’s ahd two days in bed. I escaped. I haven’t had so much as a sniffle in the four years we’ve lived here. I’ve got Barret’s Oesophagus, and now I have a little lump in my armpit, but never a sniffle!

Going to Royal Marsden on Thursday with lump. Well, I can’t go without it. Doctor says he would be very surprised if it was anything sinister, and I agree. I feel so well. I only asked to go down to Royal Marsden (Surrey) as I had a benign lump removed there five years ago, and I think they’re the best. Might as well get the best diagnosis, and I get to see brother Kevin and family. (Well maybe not Cara, as she’ll be with her beloved horses)

HAPPY NEW YEAR ONE AND ALL!

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13/12/2007 by Aileen.

Well, I have made my Christmas cards this year. They’re not wonderful, but they’re mine. I bought some magazines for ideas, but not one had religious themes. Also, the freebies they gave away were all pastel in colour. To me, Christmas has to be jewel colours. Red, green, blue, silver, gold, white. I won’t be buying any more card magazines.

I got my second TMA (tutor marked assignment) today. Only 76% but I was expecting worse so I’m pleased. Ready to start the next one now. Hope to get more next time as it seems very straight forward. We shall see.

Lovely day yesterday at Potteric Carr. (Yorkshire Wild Life) Saw two bitterns, two water rails, a kingfisher (twice) siskins, a redpoll and the usual suspects.

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06/12/2007 by Aileen.

Had a really super lazy day today. Sent of TMA last night, (I’m doing an Open University Foundation course) so today was completely free. Made cards for all creative writing group. Started next OU Block. (History) Did the whole unit in one day. (Although next week’s unit is meant to be longer) Got 88% for TMA02 but won’t get it for this one. Forgot to read the guidelines and spent too much time on part one at the expense of part two. Never mind.

Tomorow J and I are going to my Cr.Wr. Group’s Christmas lunch. We will then fill in a couple of hours - don’t know how yet - until we go to his Counselling people’s Christmas lunch. Dieting has not gone well this week!

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01/12/2007 by Aileen.

At last! My very own web site! Well I have launched a rubbishy one that I designed from a template. Today I will delete the content and start from scratch with my own html. As it is the 1st December this seems a very fitting date to start. Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent when Christmas preparations begin in earnest. Spiritually as well as materially. Well, I have bought a few presents, and we’re all going to Ali’s for Christmas, so maybe I can concentrate on the spiritual side for a change.

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