Thursday, November 27, 2008

Christmassy things

Thursday, 27th November.

Off early to Port Seton for blood test, so here's hoping it reveals something so as I can get some relief. Saying that, got quite a lot done when I got back. Sorted cards into envelopes for Saturday, printed out Christmas list and labels, so ready to start writing them. Should have started ages ago of course.

Afternoon tea later but very few people there to start with. However, filled up a bit later and lots of nice goodies to eat. Disappointing for Pauline, Rosemary etc. but they never fail to be cheerful.Sandra came in with Mrs Marshall and Elizabeth. She's off to Newcastle for two or three days this week.Got a good laugh with Peggy Muir reminiscing.

Dick brought Joyce along later. He is worried about the progression of her illness. She can hardly speak now, yet she's OK on the phone. He went away to the shops and I managed to get her to speak a bit more, we even managed to sing together, so maybe I should try that a bit more if it would help. Must ask him if Huntington's society could not do more to help. I think she needs speech therapy.

Not much on telly, so off to bed with Little Dorrit.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

New Cleaner

Wednesday, 26th November.

New cleaner came to see me, Seems fine, so starting on Friday, thank goodness. Felt very tired so had a lie down. Isabel phoned.Won't manage to afternoon tea tomorrow. Told her music had arrived I'd ordered online so going to pop down. Kay phoned to say she's coming, so both arrived together. Tried out music, so had a wee sing song!

Kay brought advent calendars and a copy of Little Dorrit also tickets for choir concert. Found wartime photos etc so scanned them for Stephen to give to Lara.

Had Helen's vegetable curry for tea. A bit hot, but I enjoyed it. Margo came in on way to band practice. Jonathan doing well in his Prelims, but wants to go to Japan in Sixth Year!!!

Watched Corrie. It's getting better again -Oh Steve! Blanche!!!!!!! beginning to catch on to Little Dorrit now

Douglas's phone

Tuesday, 25th November.

Helen came up bringing something for my tea. She's off to London again tomorrow with friends on a theatre break.

Douglas's 11th Birthday today.He phoned whenever he came in from school to tell me he had a mobile phone. He was SO excited!Must send him a text.

Just before seven o'clock the doctor phoned to say my blood tests were inconclusive and I've to have more taken on Thursday morning. Honestly, all I know is that I can hardly walk and and every part of my body is aching. It would be very easy to stay in all the time, but I feel I must try to go out. It takes my mind of it a bit. Stephen gave me a lift and came back for me.

He asked me if I still had copies of the talk I gave to St Gabriel's P7 about the war and photos, ration books etc as Lara is doing that at primary just now, so I said I'd have a look.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Visiting

Monday, 24th November.

Slept right through last night instead of my sleep being broken as it usually is. Must have been all the excitement at Douglas's party! Pretty sore and stiff though, as usual.Sat and read the Sunday Times for so long, was just going to get dressed when Lilian arrived with some magazines.

Had to hurry then to tidy up kitchen - and myself as Chris coming to take me up to hers for lunch and then to her friend Cathie's at Macmerry. Enjoyed that. Cathie's house has a beautiful outlook, fields as far as the eye can see and so far no houses being built!

Managed to tidy up the study a bit more and new cleaner phoned thank goodness. Coming to see me on Wednesday. Helen coming tomorrow bringing my cards etc. Al's exhibition going well.

Watched telly as usual, but there are so many changes in Corrie, I'm beginning to wonder who all the people are!

Stephen called in with some soup for me he had been making.Lovely to see him.

Jean got "Prezza" (John Prescott's autobiography) from the library, so gave me it to hand in. I'm quite enjoying it. Don't know why he has such a big chip on his shoulder as to reach the office of deputy prime minister from such lowly beginnings is quite an
achievement! His wife must be a saint though!

Hope doctor phones tomorrow with results of my tests.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Birthday Party

Sunday, 23rd November.

Arthur took me to East Linton to Douglas's 11th birthday party. We had a good laugh at Alexander, their wee cousin aged three.He was really funny, though very wild. Jerry called him Hurricane Henderson! It was good to be in cheerful company , but I miss John on these family occasions.

Telly seems to be rubbish tonight so managed to tidy up the study and threw a lot out, sorted out photos etc.

Margo phoned,when I came in telling me about playing at the Rugby Club dance in the Royal Musselburgh.Lots of people she knew there. Arthutr was talking about it too.He always enjoys playing, especially locally.

Feel pretty tired so I'm off to bed.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Continuing the London experience

Saturday 22nd November

Saturday, 8th November.

Would like to have gone a sail down the Thames but it was pretty cold, so Helen and I took the tour bus(me in wheelchair) but it was a disaster and an expensive one! Forty Pounds and we hardly saw a thing for scaffolding, being re-routed and always having to change buses! Rory said we'd have been cheaper taking a taxi! He said we should write to the bus company.

However, everything turned out fine as we finally got off near Trafalgar Square,made our way to Westminster Abbey and heard a military band playing followed by a huge crowd carrying green and white flags. Turned out it was the ninetieth anniversary of Poland's Liberation day.

I was really worried about Helen pushing me in the chair, but she said she was fine with it and we stopped lots of times

Lingered a while looking at the poppies and crosses outside Westminster Abbey.Really brings it home thinking about all those young lives lost-and still being lost!

Went down the Mall,looking at at all the memorials.One for all the women was impressive, just their uniforms hanging on pegs ready to be put on at short notice.Another one of the RAF looked as if the men were running to their planes.

Loads of people around, preparing for Sunday.When we came back up the band was playing in the Square and the crowds were singing Polish national songs. If I'd known the words, I would have joined in. Then a pop singer did a spot and he wowed the crowds too.

Took a taxi back.A nice cheerful,Cockney cabby.Took us round to see a spectacular firework display.

A wee rest, then met Rory and Ian at Giraffe in the Brunswick Centre and again had a lovely meal and enjoyed people watching and a blether.

Sunday Rory and Ian took me to the morning concert in the Wigmore Hall, while Helen and Al went shopping. I've always wanted to go there and I wasn't disappointed, as I really enjoyed it. A young Portugese string quartet were playing and a glass of sherry was included. Felt very cultured!!!! Off to meet Helen and Al in John Lewis.

While waiting Rory helped me choose a hat, as my head was very cold. I'd kidded Helen I would buy one with pigtails, but ended up with a red "tammy". Even the colour made me feel warmer.

Had lunch, then off to Liberty's. Beautiful shop, but so expensive! Saw lovely scarves I wanted to buy for the girls. Rory looked at the price. They were £90!

Back to hotel, then round to the flat where we had a good blether and a Chinese meal.
Monday morning after breakfast went to wee shop nearby, to buy stuff for the bairns, then off to King's Cross and home.

I'm so lucky having Helen as my sister.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The London experience

Wednesday, 19th November.

Well,here I am blogging again and about time too. Can't do a daily one, so just some highlights.Really enjoyed Chris and Jim's Golden wedding at the Juniper Lea hotel. The meal was superb and of course the music was excellent thanks to Jim and Ron. I managed to sing their favourite song,although I felt pretty shaky.I just wished John could have been there.

The trip to London was wonderful and we seemed to pack quite a lot in. Of course having Rory and Ian knowing their way around made a big difference and Helen and Al anticipated my every need.I was really glad of the wheelchair Helen had borrowed.I enjoyed the train journey, as there's so much to see and it was very comfortable.

When we arrived and after a wee rest in our Hotel, we went to the British Library which was fascinating. I could have spent all day in there. I couldn't believe I was looking at the actual handwriting of Shakespeare, Milton, William Blake, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte etc. etc. What I found most impressive was The Lindisfarne Gospels, as the colours are still so vivid.The Wycliffe Bible was there too There was also an original of one of my favourite pieces of music "An Die Music" by Schubert and Beowulf written about 1100, which I studied as part of my English Language course.More up to date there were the lyrics of some of the Beatles songs and drawings.

Went round to Rory and Ian's flat which overlooks Brunswick Square and from there to Carluccio's in the Brunswick Centre. It was very busy, so there was a great atmosphere
Really enjoyed people watching and had a delicious meal and made plans for Saturday.

Rory thought I'd be interested in the the Foundling Museum which was very near the flat and I certainly was. I think I'd read about it somewhere before. London's original home for abandoned children and London's first public art gallery. The paintings were lovely and of particular interest to me was to learn that Handel was one of the benefactors of the hospital and regular performances of the Messiah raised money for the hospital. I sat in a chair and listened to part of the Messiah. Didn't know Helen was taking a photo of me next to Handel's portrait! I was some sight!

It was sad to see the pathetic little mementoes some of the poor mothers had left for their children when they handed them over to the hospital.

http://www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk/index.php

I'm never going to finish this post if I don't stop going into so much detail!
to be continued

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Barack Obama

Wednesday, 5th November

Wonderful news from America. Feel quite uplifted by it.

Haven't been too well since my last blog, but lots of thinga behind me now and hopefully I'm off to London with Helen and Al on Friday.

Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible on my return!