26/03/2008 by Aileen.

As yesterday was quite ordinary (or normal might be a better word) I thought I’d list 5 really good things about it.

What was sad about yesterday was that someone I was going to meet on Thursday has cancelled as her daughter is ill. The family are in my thoughts and prayers.

What was a bit of a shock about yesterday was that I realised I have an essay about Pygmalion and Wide Sargasso Sea due in on April 4th. I’m down in London meeting old school friends on Wednesday/Thursday so will have to have essay done by Tuesday (ideally) Although I read WSS in holiday in Setember I have only read and studied Part One this week, so will have to get a move on.
It’s just that I find the website design course so fascinating (and difficult).

Today - on with Wide Sargasso Sea. And I have those veggies to plant.

Posted in family, gardening, Skype | Print | No Comments »

09/03/2008 by Aileen.

When I said I wa at a loose end yesterday I had already done a bit. I had been to the dentist for a checkup. I got there 10 minutes early and was seen 20 minutes late. I then had to hang around while my payment details were sent via intranet to the reception, and eventually I was asked to fill in a new health details form. I was there for nearly 45 minutes, though the check up must have lasted less then 5. They have the cheek to say that if you are more than 5 minutes late for an appt. you may not be seen. I think they should enter into a reciprocal contract and endeavour to see patients within 10 minutes. Oh well. At least my teeth are fine. Not American white you know, but not in need of treatment.

After the dentist I went to South Cave Farmers’ Market and bought a chicken, some veg. and 6 spicy tuna fish cakes!

After blogging Martin and Fiona skyped me so we had a chat. It was Fiona’s birthday and they were going out for a meal in the evening to a place called The Jam Factory! Apparently it’s where Robertsons used to make marmalade, which sounds even funnier. Then Ali skyped me so there was more chat. Kieran is fascinated by Skype. It gives him an opportunity to see our three cats, as when visitors come two of them, Sugar and Spice, disappear.

The rest of the day was spent in studying.

Poor old John is not at all well. He thinks it’s a urine infection. He only ate a few biscuits all day and has been drinking cranberry juice and water. He asked me to sleep in the guest room last night as he wanted to toss and turn. I was just dropping off to sleep when he called me. He had spilt his glass of cranberry juice and there was juice and glass everywhere! I was not a happy bunny. When I got up this morning about 7am I discovered I had left his main light on all night. He hadn’t noticed it at first, and didn’t like to wake me again. What an ogre I must be! Or how thoughtful he must be!!

Posted in Skype, health | Print | No Comments »

12/02/2008 by Aileen.

Just had another chat with Fiona. Skype is great. Martin was chatting to me on it last night. He had drinks with the English Rugby team yesterday and has a signed t-shirt of them all.

All the family, Martin and Fiona, Ali, Eric, Liam and Kieran, are coming next weekend. We’re hoping to all go out cycling if the Scottish lot can fit 4 bikes onto the bike rack/roof rack. Might be pushing it a bit I suppose.

Posted in family, Skype | Print | No Comments »

08/02/2008 by Aileen.

Arrived home just as J’s client was leaving. Then I began trawling through OU forum messages and there was one in my personal post box from a really lovely bloke (I’ve met him for tutorials and coffee so I know) who was going to take a back seat for a while as he is going through a depressed period with panic attacks. Feel very sad for him. Hope he bounces back soon.
Then Martin rang to say he had just installed Skype and asked us to. He talked John through setting it up and we had a chat. God fun seeing him and Fiona while we chatted. When Ali and Eric have John’s old Apple they can get involved too.

So then of course I had to install it. Searched through my friends and only one I could find on Skype was Janet. Our kids grew up together. Her husband Alan skyped me back when I added him to my contact list and we had a chat. It’s nearly 10.30 now and I’ve done no studying and house is a complete mess.

And I’m off to Manchester for the day tomorrow to meet 4 other OU colleagues. Unfortunately the one who I mentioned above doesn’t feel he can make it. I feel quite gutted about his news. He has two autistic children and was recently made redundant so he has a lot on his plate. Really hope he gets better very very quickly.

Posted in friends, Skype, housework, Open University | Print | No Comments »