Wednesday, 30 March 2011

It's been a year !!

Hi & greetings - I trust your Worlds are turning nicely ?!!

So, tomorrow marks the 1st anniversary of my very first post !!  Yippeeeeeeeee - I've lived another year !!!!

Ok, to celebrate this wondrous event Within Temptation have released their new cd... just for me - I think NOT !!  It's been since 2007 since the last album, but the new one - 'The Unforgiving' - came yesterday & so I'm playing it tonight, just below deafening, to welcome this new piece of music to the collection...... it's well good & I recommend it to everybody !!

So, that's the music of the moment.... as for the family - B & ME are off at the 'keep fit' class, J is upstairs & I'm here in the living room - it's a good night !!  It's not been a good few days tho'.........

I came out of hospital on Sunday week & I thought I was doing pretty good.... however, I was wrong.  I've picked up some kind of 'bug' which sent me "Bodmin" for a few days.  I'm not sure what quite happened... however, on Saturday evening, I had a Blessing from BE (who lives just up the road)... he's our 'old' Bishop..... & as much as the Blessing meant to me - well, things went from bad to worse !!

People knock our health service, but I can't find too much fault with it..... at 3.15am on Sunday morning B had to get the Dr out to me as I was heading South fast.  Luckily, he caught me in time & by Monday I was feeling much better...... I'm not sure which helped me more, the Blessing or the Dr's night call - but I'm feeling much better now, so my thanks to all !!  My temperature has dropped, my pulse is going at a sensible rate of speed & "life is good" again !! 

Hopefully I'll pick up a bit over the next few days - tomorrow, I'm meant to be out with B, to get some air & do some shopping........... + the Elders are coming tomorrow for a meal & as it's Elder K's birthday, we want to give him a good time !!

Elder K is from Finland & even if I wanted to write his full name down, I couldn't spell it - no matter how I tried !!  So Elder K it is - I've done some cds for both of them, as gifts - I know they can not play them until after their mission, but it's just a little something !!

Oh, I finished the Frank Clune book 'Dig'...... I read it in 2 days while I was stuck in hospital - about 100 pages a day, not too shabby !!  It's wasn't as good as the 'Dig Tree' - but worth a read all the same !!

My next book is going to be 'The Fatal Shore' by Robert Hughes.  It's a non-fiction account of the prisoners being sent out to Australia - over 160.000 of them - might be a good read !!  Tho' I'm tempted to buy some copies of Shelby Foote's 3 Vol. 'American Civil War' collection !!  It's possible to hire it from the library, but I think I would rather own a copy of all 3 books....... or maybe, some more cds instead !!!  If I own them, as they are each, about, 1000 pages long - well, I wont get any "late fees" !!

At the moment I'm watching, the Ken Burns film, 'The American Civil War' & - altho' I've seen it over, it still is a brilliant piece of work !!  Whch reminded me of something I heard :  "What right did a country have to govern a continent & what right does that continent have to govern the World ?"

Must away..

Bye Bye

Friday, 25 March 2011

It was my fault - can't blame the kids this time !!

Hi & hello Worlds of the known silly universe..... plus all those we don't know about (yet !!)

It was my fault.... I read my last post thru' & it was FULL of mistakes & stuff - I should of checked a bit better before I finished, my bad !!  Go shoot me - please !!

I think also that my keyboard is a bit warped or something..... I'll press one key & something else will show up as well.  J has told me a few times that my computer was "past it" & I'm beginning to think he might be right - mind you, it would be better if I checked things thru' !!  Oh well..... onwards........

I'm told today is Friday, that's what it said on the news anyways....  I do lose track of the days, but working on the fact it is Friday - tomorrow is the start of the weekend + the first race of the new F1 GP season.. YIPPEE !!!  In this house, it is the No: 1 sport - we're really glad it's back on again..... again, Yippee !!

OK, about last Sunday.... the Elders dropped in to see us in the evening...... I was in my p/j's & probably looked a sight - having just come home from the hospital !!  Anyhooo, it was their first visit & the look on their faces was a 'gem'.......... so much music, they couldn't take it all in bless them !! 

They might have given a couple of years of their lives to go on a mission, but when you see them looking thru' piles of cds - well, they are only human !!  All said & done, I take my hat off to all the missionaries.... great people & always welcome in our home.

As for the music of the moment - it's the 3 Little Steven cds I have, on 'shuffle'....... I've played them a fair bit, but it's great to listen to them again.  The doors are open, the sun is shining & life is good !!

I'm a little confused about yesterday tho'..... B 'made' me go & get my self checked out at a Dr's - mainly because I keep forgetting things.  Those who know me, will know that this is a problem I've had for a while - but it's getting worse !!

So I went & saw this Dr guy & he has changed my tablets - again - & in 3 months he is going to how I'm doing....... what has confused me, is the fact he used the A word.  I know I'm not that young anymore, plus I'm never really "with it" - but to use the Alzheimer's word IS kind of a scare !!

B has told me not to worry, it's just something they have to check out ete etc - BUT....... well, we'll see !!  B does look after me & I know she is right - but... it's the first time that has come up !!  Never mind.......

B is out at the moment, J is working & ME is at a Uni placement in Weston....... so, the music is loud & the life is good........ these cds are really good, mixed up like this - they play well together, plus it's a change not to have the Allman's on !!

Oh well - I must away.........

Bye Bye


Wednesday, 23 March 2011

Greetings Again !!

Hi everybody on whatever planet you might call home !!

After nearly a weak, I'm back.... not missed me ?  NO, never mind..... your life won't have been changed by my absence - but my absence has change my life !!  Where to start..... ?

Well, go back to last week (Thursday) & I was back in hospital.... we got there at 12 noon on the dot & much to my surprise, was told I would be having surgery that night !!  I wouldn't of been surprised at all if it had been on the Friday, but it was booked for that night, so I wasn't going to argue about it !!

So anyways, about 7pm I got the nod & B and I headed down to the theatre area..... we've done this sooooo many times before !!  I'm laid back on my bed thingy & B walking beside me - we say our goodbyes at the doors, I go one way & she goes home. 

It might sound kind of 'dumb', but after the first few surgeries, the whole thing gets a bit - well, kind of routine !!  It's easy for me - I go into the waiting area, have a laugh with the Dr's there, get knocked out & wake up some time later.... kind of sore, usually with a few new stitches & a little 'out of it' - so to speak !!

That's the easy part - poor B has to drive home, by herself & has the 'worry' about what she has no control over..... as I say, we've done it too many times now, but I know that part - her part - must be hard.

I've learnt over the years, that lying in bed is no good to you or the staff on duty - so I try and get up as soon as they will let me.... so the next morning after the epidural had worn off a bit, I was up & sat out by the time B came in to visit me..... oh yes, remember the 4 words ladies, when you're having a baby - "I WANT MY EPIDURAL" - speaking from a man's point of view, they work every time...... true, you can't feel your legs for 24 hours or what have you, BUT that's a small price to pay !!

The first day was a pain, hooked up to tubes & stuff - how can so much fluid get from those clear bags, thru' those little tubes into your arms ?.... but, by Saturday I had the last tube taken out & kind of high hopes for going home - too high a hope actually.  For some reason my heart did one of it's silly terns, heading up to the 150's (with me lying in bed)..... one of those stupid moments - this time, not done on the operating table !!

Add to that I was not exciting fluids as fast as I should been, meant - well, I had to stay another night thru' 'til the Sunday.... when, much to my surprise, the consultant herself came in to give me the "all clear" to go home.  Wasn't that nice....... that was early Sunday & the paper work didn't catch me for another 2 hours - I phoned B when I actually had the ok from the nurses, bless them.

Remember, if you're going into hospital - be nice to the staff...... they are trying to do their jobs looking after you & they can't do that if you giving them a bad time !!  ASK them what you're aloud to do, asked them if you help them or ask you neighbours if they need anything.....  above all, bribe them !!  Bring in sweets & stuff - this time B brought in a fresh baked sponge & the Dr's came of the wood work !!  "Fresh cake on Ward 3 Code Blue" !!!!!

ONE of the Dr's goes to our Church, so I don't think he recognized me - so next Sunday, I'm going to ask if if liked his cake last Saturday !!  We missed Church this Sunday - we went passed the door on my way home, by I wasn't really feeling well enough to go in + I didn't have "Sunday, Go To Meeting" clothes on !!

Anyways enough of hospital.... my next visit won't be for another week or two at least !!  On to the family....

B is out doing her keep fit class, she has lost about 35-40 pound over the last few months - all her own work, no tummy tucks or stuff, just working out, walking & eating the right kind of food....... me, I've lost about 30 pounds, just from being poorly - I can't claim any other extra help there.

She'll be home in a few minutes - the kids are upstairs, ME has a little cold, so is feeling under the weather & Jon - well, Jon is Jon.......... I could tell you about the cats, but I can't see them anywhere, so.......

Anyways, I must away - the next time I write, I will tell you of a visit by the Elders on Sunday night, to how I was & to get all mushy over our cd collection !!  OH OH, the music of the night has been the new Green Day album..... it was waiting for me when I got out of bed on Monday !!  Not bad so for !!

Must away............... now

BYE BYE

Wednesday, 16 March 2011

Ho Ho Ho !!

Well,

How you all doing my friends & Worlds I'll never know ?  I trust you're well & happy..... I am - & considering the ways I've been feeling this past 2 weeks, that is a bonus !!  Onwards......

I've spent the day phoning & e-mailing my various friends about tomorrow......  I have one more very special friend to mail & then I'll be done !!  Why tomorrow ?  I go in for my next surgery & won't be about for a while - well, until I feel stronger !!

I e-mailed The Bishop - last I heard he had the flu, so I didn't want to disturb him..... I spoken to one of my best cd mates, to warn him I'm going to be missing for a while & I've just come off the phone with G & T - my best mates - & children's God Folks..... if I'm stuck in there for a long while, G is going to come & see me - that'll be nice to have a visit !!

I was hoping B & I would of had a quiet night in together, but she & ME have gone out to exercise class & won't be back until later - nevr mind.......  I want her to be happy - we have good feelings about tomorrow & everything, but if things go wrong - well, I want her to be happy !!  Try not to think the worse !!

OK, for my last evening at home, I'm playing yet more Allman Brothers music - I tell you, I'm well hooked on them at the moment.......... and why not ?  These guys can/could (?) play !!  Check them out sometime !!

I must away - God willing I'll be back writing next week !!

Bye Bye

Tuesday, 15 March 2011

So here I am - again !!

Hello Worlds - I trust you're well & happy !!

I've been away for a while - something like 9 days since my last post.  I've not been "away" away - just haven't been feeling too good & not really feeling like I wanted to share my thoughts...... anyways, I'm here now.

The big news of the week has to be the sad pictures coming out of Japan.  I switched on the computer early in the morning, just as the news broke.... from there we (B & I) turned on the local Japan network news - NHK - and watched it for most of the day as the pictures came in.  Our thoughts & prayers are with you.  To see something like that 'live' & not being able to do anything about it - well........  puts everything into focus really !!

For me, as I say, I've not been feeling very good this past week or so.......  I gave up flapping my arms & just got lower & lower.  So, on Thursday - 2 days from now - I'm going into hospital for another surgery.  It is hoped that things will get better after that - but..... time will tell !!  I have to report into the hospital at 12 noon & I'm guessing I'll either have the op later that day, or maybe early Friday.. we'll see how things go !!

I feel alright about it all - it's the doctors who seem to have done all the worrying about whats going to happen !!  For me, I go in - get knocked out - & wake up with another scar or 2 to add to the ever growing list !!  I would much be much happier if I could go in & out on the same day, but - that going to happen this time.... means B will be here without me, so I've made sure the 'kids' are going to be good for her !!

Talking of B - she is out, at one of meetings she goes to..... J is behind me in the kitchen doing his evening meal & ME is out with a friend for a while.... so, a quiet night here in good o' England !!

In the post this past week I've had far to many cds to mention here...... tho' 'The Man Of La Mancha' has been a BIG hit on the old CD player !!  The music of the moment is - again - the Allman Brothers !!  It's a 1973 concert & it's been a while since I played it - but very good all the same.

We missed Church, the Sunday before last - mainly as I felt really poorly - but we went on Sunday for a few minutes.  As I was going back into hospital, I wanted to take the time to go.  I remember when it used to be fun - Sunday felt just the lowest of the low, compared to, say a few months ago !!  I know our Church & it;s teachings are true..... but, I felt like I just wanted to get out of there on Sunday !!

It's not been the same since a person had a go at me, a month or 2 back........  Sunday - well, I almost felt guilty for being there !!  It's not meant to feel like that - never mind, we only stayed for the Sacrament & then came home.... what right does a person have to talk to people in the way he did on Sunday ?  Oh well - maybe it's because I'm feeling down & I wasn't in the right mood to be lectured !! 

Antways - I'm away.....  I'll be back in a few days or so - not sure when, depends how quich I can get away from the Dr's... bless 'em all !!

Bye Bye

Sunday, 6 March 2011

The Spirit Caries On.

If I Die Tomorrow
I'll Be All Right
Because I Believe
That After We're Gone
The Spitit Caries On

Bye Bye

Thursday, 3 March 2011

Another Day, Another CD !!

Hello again good people - I hope your Worlds are looking after you ?

I was thinking - hard for me, as you who know me will understand - that I might try again this year to list my CDs..... I tried last year & failed hopelessly !!  Anyways - I was thinking of trying again - all the Cds are in more or less some kind of order now, from last years failed attempt... so why not.

Well.... today another CD came in the post & add to that the pile of discs that were here in front of me - I think I'm onto another "no hoper" !!  When we went down to Exeter, the other weekend, I came home with a box of goodies from a friend + a few I bought & today I've been sorting them out...... well, to cut a long story short - I think I've got to add another 20 or more to the list, just from today's sort out !!

Unless I'm locked in a room with all the CDs & the computer - I just can not see how I'm going to keep up with things !!  Thru' lack of cash, I no longer buy as many CDs as I used to - but..... I do love my music folks + I have so many good friends who give me things to listen to (& keep) - so, I think I'm onto another hopeless cause !!  Never mind.... I will probably start a new list at some point, but it won't be today & that's for sure !!

OK - while I'm on about music - the CD of the moment is another 'live' Allman Brothers concert recording.  I've been playing all sorts today, from folk thru' to blues... but at the moment - well.... another Allmans set !!

The family are all out at the moment.... ME came home from Uni & talked B into going shopping for an hour. J is still at work, probably be home in about 30 minutes or so.  That just leaves me here with the cats..... hence the music is a little louder than normal !!

My book of the moment is 'Our Heritage' - it's a book I've read several times, but is always interesting... I think I've probably mentioned it before..... anyways, it's a history of the Church & how things have happened to 'shape' our lives.  A good read, even for anyone just interested in history in general !!

I've been trying to read 'Dig' by Frank Clune, but..... well - after 'The Dig Tree' I'm finding Mr Clunes book hard work !!  I just can't find the enjoyment I did with the latter !!  Never mind - I'll go back to it 'later' & see what happens.

Oh well.... must away !!

Bye Bye

Wednesday, 2 March 2011

Greetings AGAIN !!

Hi Worlds.... hope you're warm on this cold & frosty night !!

Mind you, I'm guessing it depends on where you live...... here it's March, which means cold & wet - but for any of my Australian readers - well, you're coming to the end of your summer !!  So I guess it might be cold & wet for you as well.... oh well...

Anyhooo.... I'm here in the warm, the ladies of the house have gone out to a 'keep fit' class & J is upstairs on his computer - for him that's situation normal, but.... well, life goes on & on !!

It's been a good day.... B & I went into town & I was able to pick up a gift for her - a Welsh gold necklace thingy.  It matches a ring I bought her many moons ago & she seems to like it !!  It's our wedding anniversary on Saturday & I've been hoping to buy her something special to celebrate.... the necklace was it !!  B did moan at me about the price, but I've been putting my coins away & this is what came of it. 

I've come to realise that our time together in this life might not last much longer & - because of it - I wanted to buy her something a little special !!  We will have been married 23 years ago this Saturday...... it's not all been "wine & roses" but we're still together.  That's not anything to do with me - B has stayed by me over all the years thru' thick & thin....... She is my wife & my dearest friend !!  I love her & without her I would be completely lost........ lately, we seem to have had some the hospital visits & their sad times, but we have a cry & then a smile & get on with whatever life has on offer for us !!

We may not be together much longer, but the time we've had has been - looking back on it - the most wonderful part of my life.  I would like to think we would get to Temple, to be Sealed, but that's not going to happen....... my time here will not be long enough for that, but - well, we've got what we've got & we're thankful for that & grateful to our friends & our Lord for giving us this time together !!

Oh well.... The music of the moment is a wonderful CD by Jethro Tull..... it's 'The Best Of Acoustic Jethro Tull' & it's really good..... I'm not sure how many albums I have by Tull - but this one suits the mood tonight..... a warm fire & songs from the wood !!  I've never played this CD before & it's been really fun to go thu' it...... so many albums & so few brain cells !!

The Allman Brothers Cd's I had last week are brilliant - hours of fun for all the family.... well me at least !!  I'm nowhere near playing them all thru' !!  My thanks go tho' to 'Hittin' The Note' - the Allman Brothers site & in particular to V  for her work & friendship !!  I've promised her a box of chocolates at some point, for all her help - just got to find a way to get it to the office !!

One of the Cd's - just one CD out of lot & lots had a scratch on it, so wouldn't play........ so I e-mailed V & she is sending me another copy !!  How cool is that - I've never met this lady & yet she sends me a replacement CD on just my say so - no evidence needed... just word of mouth...... they deserve a box of chocolates !!!!!

OK - I must away...... in town today there were two different groups of street preachers & by what they were telling the passers by, well - "we'll all going to hell."... so I better get my bed rest in, I don't want to be tired when I get there !!

Must away......

Bye Bye