13/03/2011 by Aileen.

Well, we had an absolutely unbelievably wonderful time on our silent retreat at St Beuno’s. It is honestly too personal for me to talk about, but I feel a changed person, and John has changed in his beliefs too. Wonderful memories.

One of the little things that changed for me is that I have decided to spend less time on t’internet. I haven’t been posting as I have been wondering what to give up and what to keep. I’m keeping this blog as it’s a sort of diary for me, and I like reading back occasionally. Also, I just like recording my life. Paradoxically I have started another anonymous Blogger blog. My first one is religious based, and has turned out to be mostly thoughts (rather than feelings) My new one is linked, and I am recording my dreams on it, and trying to interpret them from a Christian point of view. But I’ve cut out a lot of aimless surfing. When I get up, sometimes around 6am, I used to turn on the news, open up the laptop and have breakfastall at the same time. I am trying to listen to the news single-mindedly now, and just having a quick glance at Facebook and other sites later.

Another thing that isn’t too personal is that I said to my spiritual guide that  I was very happy with my life, thank you very much, and I didn’t want anything to change. At the same time I sometimes wonder if I shouldn’t be doing something a bit more active in the church. Anyway, Fr Neville is still recuperating from his two operations, and the visiting priest challenged the parish to sort out Stations of the Cross for ourselves. So I offered to do Friday evenings during Lent. I have done one so far. Made it up myself, as I wanted to do something really relevant to our lives, and not the old Victorian stuff we are used to. About 8 people turned up, which is wonderful as people would have been to the Ash Wednesday service on the Wednesday, and there was a funeral for someone well known to the parish on the Friday morning. And our parish is tiny. 40 newsletters printed each week. The church is only 10 pews deep and we only have one Mass a week. Just to blow my own trumpet a bit - Douglas asked for a copy of the Stations as he said it was the most devotional one he had ever heard. Also, I was amazed that the woman who had buried her husband turned up, and thanked me after. She said it had ‘just finished her day’!!! (She meant it in a good way)

I drove Fr Neville to hospital on Thursday for his post op. checkup and he had good news. No followup radiotherapy or chemo. He read the gospel at Mass this morning, and was walking a bit quicker than he was on Thursday. Hopefully he’s really on the mend now.

Good birding session this week when we had really close-up and prolonged views of a goldcrest, and saw a peregrine falcon, and a flock of bullfinches. Good creative writing sessions too. Everything good. Full stop

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08/10/2009 by Aileen.

All went well at the Breast Clinic yesterday. So glad I didn’t ask to go to Royal Marsden, Carshalton, where I was operated on before. The Castle Hill section is friendly and efficient, and SOOOOO much nearer. Anyway, nothing suspicious, the bleeding is probably due to the car accident. I’m gonig back in three months as a precaution.

I wasn’t going to put in a claim after the accident, as I’m glad to be alive, and don’t believe in the litigation culture we live in. However, I was stiff and in pain for three weeks after the accident, and I had that funny turn a week later when the doctor gave me an ECG, and I’ve been worried about my breast for nearly a fortnight now.

The shortness of breath that is being investigated is not to do with the accident. I’ve noticed it for months.

Anyway, slight setback with the decorating. Emil was so apologetic, but he’s had to go to Bulgaria on business, and will be away for a few days. He said he wouldn’t have started the room if he had known. We have another living room, but the TV point is in the out-of-action room. We don’t really miss TV, but John watched a video on his Mac last night. I’m working hard on the websites I maintain. There’s a lot of history and pictures to put on to the church one.

I seem to have a lot of fiddly things to do at the moment, mostly on the computer.

Finish two Look assignments for Redemptorist publications

Produce an application form for First Communion parents in the parish

Polish up my Friday creative writing assignment

Produce a bit of work for the Day School on Saturday (tutor wants it tomorrow)

Prepare Children’s Liturgy for Sunday

I also want to produce a sort of job description for the children’s liturgy as we are getting two new helpers, and as one of the Safeguarding Officers I think we need this. Must check with Barbara.

And I have to go to Argos in Goole for lights. We (John) looked everywhere on the internet, and we’ve (both) looked round shops, but Argos has our favourites. Cheap too!

But I really must Carpe the Diem. I often miss photo opportunity because of my favourite word (banana manana). Yesterday it was a beautiful sunny afternoon, and decided to wait until the evening, and go up on the Wolds for some sunset pictures. What happens? It clouds over.

I AM NOT GOING TO MISS AUTUMN TREE PICTURES THIS YEAR!

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24/08/2009 by Aileen.

I’ve been working on the Viewfinder’s website over the weekend. Then Paul gave me the details for the church website. So I’m all webbed out. Anyway it’s Monday, so it’s housework. Raining, so probably no gardening. Viewfinders tonight is in Howden, so very near me. Hope weather improves or it’ll be an evening in the pub.

Viewfinder’s site doesn’t come up straight away if you search. I think you have to put the full URL in

http://www.viewfinderphoto.co.uk

That reminds me- only half a bottle of wine and about four cups of coffee all week, in an attempt to lower my blood pressure. Coffee is the hardest thing to resist. I put some on after Mass yesterday (had two cups then) and ooooh the smell. Heaven.

I had a funny turn in the York Designer Centre on Friday. Just dizzy - no pain like the previous week - but I was scared. I think it’s just like my mum used to get with bright lights. A sort of painless migraine. Poor John had hoped to look at clothes and buy some chocolate, but we had to go home. He thinks it’s a nefarious plan on my part!

Anyway, I’m just putting off the housework. Bye.

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20/08/2009 by Aileen.

Off to Hull this morning to sort out some Building Society stuff. Then we’re going on to York for lunch, as Hull doesn’t have a Pret a Manger! (No, we wanted to do York Designer Centre too)
I think John is finally getting back to normal after a year! He has seven clients on the go at the moment, and we went for a cycle ride last night.
He has an MRI scan on the 10th September, to see what treatment, if any, he still needs. He has a slight suspicion he still has an abscess, but is feeling fine. (Apart from his constant pain!)
I haven’t heard about my blood test, so assume it was normal. This means I have to have a Spyrometry (or something) test to see why I am so breathless.
Oh well. Onwards and Upwards.
Oh, I’ve been working on the church website. I can’t do that much as Paul still hasn’t given me the details, but what I have done is on here
www.sacredheartstjoseph.org.uk
It can only get better!

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27/07/2009 by Aileen.

This is the first ‘normal’ Monday I seem to have had for ages. Last Monday was the ‘I Felt Like Crying’ post, the week before we were on holiday, and I can’t remember before that.

Anyway, Kieran and Liam had been staying with Martin and Fiona for the week, and M and F returned them very late on Saturday night. (1.15 am) (They had been to Fiona’s brother’s new baby’s christening.) I overslept, so couldn’t go to Mass, but I was wondering whether to skip it anyway, as M and F didn’t have very long with us. We had roast chicken, with kale and runner beans from the garden and then M and F set back down for Oxford while we took the grandchildren up to Penrith so Ai and Eric could pick them up from there.

Over the Pennines (A66) we got stuck behind two ‘abnormal loads’. John just couldn’t overtake them before the end of the dual carriage way. Well, there was a narrow strip of road with lorries coming towards us. The biggest oncoming lorry pulled right in to the verge and stopped. The first abnormal load lorry missed it, but the second one scraped all along the side of the stationary vehicle. Oh dear. The sound! And the big flecks of white plastic that went swirling round the road! My camera was at my feet in my bag. If only I had had it in my lap. What a photo!

So today, it’s tidy up the mess in the kitchen and do my ‘normal Monday’ whip around everything in the house. I might do some gardening as I seem to have the bug again, but it’s a bit chilly!!!

Then, this evening it’s Viewfinders. We’re going into York. Should be good.

If I don’t do any gardening I’m going to set up a picture gallery on my secret website.  Oh, and I have another commission from Redemptorist Publications for some children’s Sunday leaflets, so might have a go at them.

Bye, world. See ya.

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23/07/2009 by Aileen.

Well, John still had a bit of a temperature on Monday and Tuesday, and felt really weak. He kept saying to give it another day before calling the doctor. He absolutely dreaded the thought of another few months in hospital.

On Tuesday, I thought this is silly and called the doctor out. I was dismayed to see a young girl on the doorstep instead of the older man I expected but she was fab. She said she wasn’t sure what to do and would ring Stoke Mandeville for advice. She rang back later in the afternoon and had actually spoken to the surgeon who had cut out the abscesses. He said there was no point taking a swab as he knew exactly which bacteria were involved and he recommended two antibiotics. John is on them for three weeks, then he has to go to Stoke to see Mr Wan. He has two options, neither of which seem to involve a lengthy stay in hospital so John is really relieved. Almost pleased. Yes, he IS  pleased that at last something is being done.

His only problem now is that the antiobiotics taste foul. Oh, and he can’t drink alcohol with them!

I had a good day yesterday. Cut the grass, trimmed edges and stepping stones, and tackled a hidden away corner at the bottom left. Yes, I know the front garden is a mess, and that’s what people see, but this is a sweet little bit where a winter flowering jasmine was getting choked with laurels and stuff. I freed up a flat headed hydrangea and trimmed back some cotoneaster and box/privet. But I didn’t trim the latter back too much as it has some lovely fragrant white blossom.

The grandchildren are having a great time with Martin and Fiona apparently. They’re off to the London Eye today, followed by the Natural History museum and the park. They sure will sleep tonight!

Oh, and my new (third!) website, is coming on a treat. I seem to have got the knack of postioning things with CSS now. I’d love to tell you all the name, but it’s my little SECRET.

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08/07/2009 by Aileen.

…. that I wouldn’t know what to do with myself after T189? Well,

1. I am now responsible for the church website (once I get the password)
2. I am also probably going to design one for Viewfinders (might use a template if it is going to be a complicated one)
3. John wants his site updated and a poem written for him about being married to a counsellor
4. I have promised a surprise poem for an OU student’s hubby.
5. I’ve just bought myself a new site (£3 a month with Super Green) which really will be a secret one.

Life. Isn’t it wonderful?

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11/01/2009 by Aileen.

Well, I’ve had a really lazy week last week. Visitors gone, TMA sent off, no ‘activities’ started yet except for Viewfinders (camera club)

I’ve spent the week slowly doing the guests’ sheets, putting away Christmas decorations (except one darn it) and virtuously (!) finishing off Christmas food so I don’t have to throw it away.

John’s worst ‘wound’ finally seems to have cleared up in the last couple of days, so he should be back to normal next week. (He got up over Christmas and New Year, but ideally should have been having bed rest to keep off the pressure point.) Anyway, I’ve resisted the temptation to give him a list of things to do. Only because I know he wouldn’t do them!

I’ve spent such an enjoyable day. I took the Children’s Liturgy at Mass this mornint, and saw Francesca, whom I’m preparing for First Holy Communion. I just wish that I didn’t keep watching myself perform. I feel I’m putting on an act instead of behaving naturally.

Then this afternoon I’ve spent an enjoyable time getting to grips with ‘positioning’ on my secret web site. It isn’t that private after all,  so although it is far from perfect you can find it at

www.rainbowpuddles.co.uk

Please don’t laugh at it. It’s meant to be serious. Also, I’ve built it up from scratch - no templates involved (apart from the blog bit) so it really is amateurish.

I’ve planned next week in Outlook, so feel really organised. The church leaves Christmastide and enters into Ordinary Time today, and my ‘activities’ are starting up next week, so I feel this is the beginning of 2009 for me.

And let’s hope it’s a good one for all.

I’m well aware of the dreadful problems in the Middle East at the moment, as well as conflict and famine elsewhere. I feel so helpless. Simon Covey talks about our ‘circle of influence.’ I can’t do much about current afffairs, but I do try to present a positive outlook to those I know and love.

Simon Covey also says we can increase out Circle of Influence. Maybe this year I will have to try and do that.

BTW Simon Covey is author of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and other books.  Google him.

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11/11/2008 by Aileen.

Well, I’m so pleased with yesterdy. I meditated twice, dealt straight away with post, dusted and hoovered everywhere á la my version on Flylady   (www.flylady.net), trimmed lavender, went for brisk 20 minute walk, and tried to arrange to do church cleaning but Sheila did it last week as it seems the date was wrong in the newsletter. I also read a lot of Stark (Ben Elton) and did the first two exercises of week 6 in my A215 course.

Why I’m ashamed is that I have been reading some really good blogs. Becky Phillips’ one for example.

http://becksathome.blogspot.com/

Really deep and she comes across as so intelligent. Right, this is only a sort of daily diary, and I deliberately don’t put anything too personal on it - and being an introvert I think an awful lot of my ’stuff’ is too personal. One definition of an introvert is that they hide what they think is their ‘best’ stuff.

I have another website, which is coming along nicely. I’m keeping it anonymous as there will be some of my religious poems on it. It has the facility for a blog, but as I’m doing the site from scratch (not using templates) I’m not sure how to go about it yet. It’s one big learning curve and I love it.

Anyway, today - more gardening, making a chicken curry with Sunday’s leftovers, Scripture tonight (after a three months absense) and as it’s nice I might have a leisurely stroll round the ponds with my camera. I noticed lots of beautiful leaves and interesting fungi on my walk yesterday.

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31/10/2008 by Aileen.

He’s coming home Monday week. That’ll be 10th November. Can’t wait. Meal’s in the freezer, wine in the garage, house is tidy (at the moment) This is the longest time I’ve been home since August, and I must admit I’ve enjoyed pottering about on my own. I must be careful not to become too reclusive. I came home last Monday, genuinely too late for photography club. I could have gone to Scripture on Tuesday and Slimming World on Wednesday, but just wanted to stay indoors. I rationalised that it would be better to start these up again when John is home and I know I’ll be home.

I did go Birding to Old Moor on Wednesday and we had a really lovely time. The weather was crisp and sunny and we saw a ruffless ruff close by, a greenshank further away, and many other birds. It was lovely seeing three of the ‘four ladies from Hutton Cranswick’ who used to go birding with our group, but not in the summer as they go walking. They couldn’t get spaces on the Wed. morning this term. (Today’s excursion was a ‘Half Term Special’.

I baked some cheesy biscuits yesterday as it rained all day, and as today was sunny I changed into my gardening gear, grabbed a hoe, and went into front garden, only there was a dramatic change in the weather and it’s now pouring. So I’m going to spend the afternoon uploading photos to my website.

Forgot to say, I sent off TMA yesterday - it was due in today. So I’m feeling very virtuous. As I have some carrots in that I haven’t used I bought some coriander and will make some soup this evening. For the freezer.

Another thing! On Second Life we are putting on a pantomime and I am Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella. Had a rehearsal last night. It reminded me of ‘Some Like It Hot’ where the silent movie star is discovered to have a terrible voice. Well, at the beginning of the rehearsal the director told me to make the stage my own and move around freely. My avatar walks in jerks - I just cannot get it to move smoothly, so by the end the director told me to do the scene sitting down, and just get up at the end. Lol. Lol. Lol. ;-)

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