Wow, 2 months gone....

Just reading my last post on 31sr December.......shocking where the time has gone.

Firstly let me wish you all a very Happy New Year (better late than never).

I can now say that my friend who had the accident, has just been allowed home after many weeks of being in hospital, she has improved a lot from her injuries, and is currently still on sick leave for a few more weeks yet, we always knew it would take a long time to recover from such a serious accident.

As for us, its been a very tough start to 2016, apart from seeing Nova daily, we have had our own problems too, I have been having some female issues for quite a while, and despite fagging this up on numerous occasions my doctors didnt read my notes, saying I should have emergency scans, when I eventually got to the specialist, she said it could be cancer ! Not the news I was expecting I can tell you. To cut a very long story short, after a lot of tooing and froing, it appears not to be cancer, so Im having to go on some other treatment instead. Going off to the doctors today to discuss the way forward. Unfortunately Gary took the possible cancer diagnosis very badly, on top of all the problems with his family, he just imploded. So we have had to deal with that as well.

As you imagine its been a very tough three months for us, but 5 more days and we will get 10 days off, including a few days in Cornwall, just the two of us, which we are so looking forward too. I think we need to talk a lot but without anybody else being around.

We have hardly had a day to ourselves since Christmas, so this will be a big treat.

I will try and get back to normal after Easter.

Hope you all have a fabulous Easter break.

Live, Love and Laugh, Elaine xx xx xx

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A very bad day yesterday, my best friend Nova, was involved in a very serious car accident, currently heavily sedated in ICU. Numerous injuries, was classed as life threatening yesterday, now serious and stable. Im not a very religious person, but someone 'upstairs' was looking out for her.

 

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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Its been a while since I last posted.

Christmas has been and gone, a fairly quiet affair, but enjoyable all the same.

I was a very lucky girlie, Gary bought me some lovely Pandora earring which match a ring I already have,

chocolates, jumpers, smellies. Nova bought us a cocktail set, so 2016 will be the Year of the Cocktail.

I am now 'on call' from work, for the next couple of days. Off over the New Year, and back to work proper on 4th January.

Not sure how we are going to celebrate the New Year yet, possibly going to Burgh Island / Bigbury.

Tonight we are expecting a stormy night, very windy and lots of rain, no-where near as bad as up North.

In 2016 I am going to write my diary everyday - lets hope something interesting happens !

For now, Live, Love, And Laugh in the New Year

Elaine xx

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Christmas

2015 has been a pretty tough year for us, what with one thing and another. It started with Garys operation, from which he is now fully recovered. I had much written about problems at work, I was lucky to have been offered a new job, and months down the line Im a lot happier with less stress and unhappiness.

We have had lots of problems with Garys Mum, getting older, and several different health issues, its still ongoing. Its difficult to get the help which is needed. Not knowing which way to turn. It makes you think because we are all getting older.

It has got me thinking about the 'true meaning of Christmas', its certainly not about the amount of money you spend, its more about giving people 'time'. Garys mum doesnt want presents, she has enough 'stuff', But a visit from family or friends to help cheer her up would be great. I realise we live in a busy world, but....

10 mins out of your day would make an older persons day. So we are not sending anywhere near as many gifts this year....not because we are being a Scrooge, but we are concentrating on visiting people ec.

Go on make someones Christmas, pop around for a cuppa and a chat.

Merry Christmas

Live, love and laugh

Elaine xx

 

 

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Well another year gone...

It was my birthday today, it was a pretty quiet one, as Gary was on nightshift , we had some fish and chips on The Hoe in the sunshine, before going and watching the new James Bond film.

I have to say it was a very quiet one, and I couldnt get excited, perhaps Im just getting old.

Im disappointed after certain people didnt even send a message ! Luckily I have got good friends !

In the meantime, another year passed since losing my Dad,

Oh well, all over now

 

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Its been a while .....again

Still have Mother In Law in care at the moment, so visiting almost every day, as no-one else is !.

Like other people, despite having family, we seem to be the only ones doing anything. We do feel stretched at times, and its not helped as she thinks its our duty and is not thankful at all. Oh well, she should be going home later this week, with a care package of 4 carers going in daily.

I have had a bad chesty cough for a few days which has dragged me down, but hopefully on the mend now.

Decided to have a Flu Jab over the weekend, bit of a sore arm, but nothing to write home about.

U

 

 

Had a great day on Sunday, Gary had a rare day off, and we went for a lovely walk at Mt Edgecumbe, lovely weather, beautiful views over The Sound and Plymouth. Have posted a few pictures on fb.

Today making a start on the tidying of the house. Also the Christmas gifts and ideas.

Have booked a week in Kent towards the end of November, a cottage in Ramsgate, cant wait.

Thats all for today

Live, Love and Laugh, Elaine xxxx

 

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Follow up.....

Mother is staying in for a while yet, they have offered her a different room, which hopefully might help ease her mood, as the one she is currently in, has the nurses station and radio right outside, no view, right beside sime very dusturbed dementia patients, who are shouting all the time. Last night she was a bit happier, actually listening to what I said, not the usual 'I hate my life' or 'I hate it here'.

She has one of her cancelled hospital appointments rebooked for Monday, Im going to try and rebook the other one shortly.

Gary and I are trying to be more positive, which I know is difficult at times.

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Sorry for this.....just need to get it out there...

If you have an elderly relative, you might understand our stress.

Garys Mum lives alone, is 80 years old. She has never really been a positive person in all the time I have known Gary.

In the past few months she has had several falls, plus other health issues. She has been in and out of Hospital, and despite numerous tests they find nothing really wrong. She is getting more forgetful every day. She will swear black is white, is rude, arguementative.

I get numerous calls at work from her telling me she cant cope any more, wants to die, is in pain etc

She is always calling the doctor out. Luckily in one of her more lucid moments we got her to sign a letter to the surgery saying we can speak to the doctor n her behalf. So we can find out what is going on.

Currently she is in respite care, but she hates it, despite telling us all she couldnt cope at home,

She has us running around getting things for her, its unfortunate that due to family circumstances we are the only ones to be able to help. We both workfull time, and Gary is on shift work too.

She has had a care package in place for the last fewmonths, which means she has 4 carers a day going in, but because she cant or wont eat, they do nothing more than make the bed, open/close the curtains, make her a drink, she wont let them give her any personal care. One of her friends in the block who is also not a well person is the one she expects to make drinks for her, clean up after her, shop for her, and she won't say no to her. We try and do as much as we can, but MIL thinks everyone should run around after her.

Its really starting to get to me, as Im in a new job, and she is constantly ringing me, she is rude, shouts at us, wont listen, doesnt listen, expects us to be at her beck and call 24/7. I know that Gary is also struggling, so I try and do the things he shouldnt have to do, but its starting to cause problems for us at times.

Im not really sure how much more we can take, getting towards breaking point.

Thanks for listening

Elaine xx

 

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What a few days.

As you may know, Gary Mum has been having sine health issues, falls at night, trips to A&E, hospital appointments for various problems. To date they have found little. We have had numerous calls from her saying she cant cope, saying she wants to die. In the end the doctir has decided a short spell in respite care might help. She was happy as she thought it woyld be the end of her problems, now we are getting the guilt trip about putting her in there etc, poor Gary is at the end of his tether. She is forgetting things she has said or done, then shouting at us, saying its our fault. We try and understand as she is 80, but its a very stressful time for us all.

So please bear with me if i dont post that often.

Elaine xx

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Fun at Dartmouth Regatta

 

 

 

 

 

Great day at Dartmouth Regatta, Bank Holiday weekend.

 

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Long time no see again !

Morning Bloggers

So much for my weekly roundups, life just gets in the way sometimes.

My life has been hectic, homelife, worklife and the Mother In Law, who has had several falls, numerous visits by her doctor, paramedics, visits to hospital both emergency and appointments. She is getting very forgetful, all part of growing old I suppose. I cant see it getting better in the future either, so deep breath !

I have lots of jobs I want to do at home, but not enough hours. I also want to get back to crafting be it card making, acrapbooking or sewing. Decluttering is also n my list of jobs to do, as it has been for months.

So I think I need to stop procrastinating, stop trying to organise and just get on with it.

Christmas is getting ever closer, which Im starting to think about, whether I should reduce who gets presents, the amounts spent, because to be honest, I know we dont give to receive, but some people hardly bother with sending us a card. I used to love going and buying that special gift, and I still do for the 'special people'.

We have just had a long weekend away in Bude, Cornwall. It was lovely, very relaxing. Just what we needed after the stress of previous months. Hartland Quay in N Devon is well worth a visit if you are ever in the area.

Thats all for today

Live, Love and Laugh

Elaine xx xx

 

 

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Hello Saturday

Nightshift weekends, mean quiet and sleep, not only for Gary but for me too !

I can do very little at home whilst he is sleeping, so I catch up with soaps on tv, my guilty pleasure of Jeremy Kyle, read books etc.

i see the sunshine has arrived this morning, but for how long, the forecast is for thunderstorms later.

Its been a busy week, two late nights watching the British Firework Championships, the best one didnt win, in my opinion, but that happens.

We are going to Dartmouth on Friday to the Royal Regatta, hopefully see the Red Arrows, lots of other things to see too. Looking forward to it. Gary is working the Bank Holiday weekend, so Im going to findsomething nice to do for myself, whether it be crafting, meeting friends for coffee, or something else.

Have a great weekend

Elaine xx

 

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Two posts in one day.....

I have just finished reading a book called "The life changing magic of tidying' by Marie Kondo.

With a new take on organising, tidying and recycling. Knowing that I have been looking at ways of doing this and always feeling overwhelmed by the tasks ahead, this book has given me a direction to help me get to the goal of a organised and satisfying life.

It is based on a Japanese lifestyle, where we need less stuff and like most people we have TOO MUCH stuff.

Easy things for me to start with....go shopping every fortnight, not weekly, use what is in the cupboards, freezer etc, therefore not have that horrible day when you check dates on items in cupboard and find them two years out of date ! I might need to get fruit/veg, milk and bread weekly though.

Second thing for me will be cosmetics, skincare and makeup stuffs....they go out of date too, at the moment I have a whole drawer full, which Im sure can be whittled down a lot.

They are my tasks for this week.

Elaine x

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Holiday....

We had a great few days off recently, staying at home, we did a few jobs that needed doing at home, but managed to go to some local beauty spots - Bovisand, Mt Edgecumbe Country Park, Kingsand, Cawsand, Rame Head, which all have wonderful sea views. The weather was Ok, we didnt get wet !

Had a brilliant day at Centre Parcs Longleat for the usual Spa Day, very relaxing and just what we needed after all the stress of his Mum over the last few weeks.

On our last day we went to Dartmouth, used the higher ferry at £5.30 for about a minutes journey, but an experience none the less, picnic lunch on the beach at Goodrington, then onto Paignton, we sat on the Green watching people going on fair rides, and kiddies riding Donkeys. Obviously we had to have the 'yellow' chips.

Somehow during the week I managed to pick up a nasty cold, which did drag me down a little, Im only just beginning to feel better. Yesterday I rested and slept most of the day away, woke up this morning with a lot more energy.

Gary is currently away in Wales on a golf weekend, doing very well according to reports, he will be chuffed with himself, because he hasnt played a lot this year due to his operation and the bad weather we have had.

Garys Mum has been poorly, has been in hospital, had various tests, and on Friday we heard that the results show nothing really wrong apart from old age. Its difficult for us, as we both work, and she is ringing all the time. We think she is lonely and scared. She has fallen over several times and had to call the para medics.

Started on a tidying and sorting spree this morning, it feels good, the amount of stuff which has been purged and put into the re cycle bin is brilliant. This is the start of a lot of work in the coming weeks. I am determined to get our house sorted and tidied. I feel a big ebay/car boot sale coming, as we seem to have a lot of 'stuff' we dont need.

Enough for now, I must get back to the work.

Have a great week ahead,

Live, Love and Laugh

Elaine

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Happy 35th Wedding Anniversary

Thirty five years ago today, Gary and I were married at Plympton St Marys church.

I cant believe how many people, family and friends who are no longer around from the photos. Shocking really.

Ten years ago we renewed our wedding vows, which was a great day, celebrating again with our family and friends, again we have lost several very special people since then too.

It has been a challenging year, with Gary having 'that' operation, i could have lost him if it wasnt for the surgeon. Now with his mum being ill as well.

We are very lucky compared to a lot of other people.

So......Happy Anniversary to us, onwards and upwards to our Ruby Wedding at 40.

 

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Does anyone else ?

I started to think about whether anyone else ever makes lists / organises their life ?

Despite at looking at lots of ways I still seem to never get on top of things, being paperwork, housework, etc

Has anyone got any smart ideas, which would help me to prioritise, organise and not procrastinate.

Its been a very busy week what with one thing and another. Mother is still poorly, in fact tonight she had a right go at me, saying that 'people are saying that she never gets any visitors' , what the hell does she think we do, and all she could say was, 'I know you work' .... She cant see that she is so miserable and rude, no one wants to visit her. One of the ladies who lives in the flats goes in often, visits, gets her drinks and meals, plus goes shopping for her, she is over 80 too, we have said she must rely more on the carers she gets 4 times a day and not on her friend. She wont listen ! I think we might have to make an appointment with her doctor.

Todays picture is My parents wedding day, December 24th 1960

I miss my Dad a lot....

Xxxx

 

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Another week nearly over......

Time really does go quickly as you get older....

Another week is nearly over,

Summer looks like it has gone too.... Very wet here in Plymouth this morning, and the forecast isnt good either. Its currently beating on the windows, just remind me it is July isnt it.

Well what has been happening in the Blake Household - Garys Mum was taken into hospital, despite x-rays, blood tests and more, there was nothing seriously wrong with her ! Which is very frustrating for us and her doctor. We have found out that she has a pain threshold of a Gnat, even the removal of a plaster had her screaming the place down. Unfortunately she has a bad back after falling over a few times, but if she doesnt eat / drink then she will be weak......and the list goes on. She is now back home with carers going in 4 x daily, but thats only a temporary measure. Poor Gary is worried about when that care stops....

I have been looking through old pictures on the Sheppey website and have come across sone brilliant ones which have brought back some very happy memories

 

I remember playing in this pool as a kid.

Views along part of the beach, where we played in the old days.

I am planning some "me time" over the weekend, for a little scrapbooking and reading.

Enough waffling for today,

Elaine xx

 

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Great weekend

 

We have had a great weekend, visiting friends, going out with friends. Had a lovely breakfast with Nova and her Dad Stan at the Secco Lounge. Poached Eggs with spinach and mushrooms. Had a lovely walk around Royal William Yard in the rain, Nova had a moment with a umberella which isnt supposed to turn inside out in the wind, it did ! Very funny.

An hour or so shopping in Primark, then home for a small lunch, tennis and housework.

Gary mum has had several falls at home this week, so a stressful time, she is really struggling, so the time is coming to make difficult decisions.

Its been a wet old Sunday today, and the forecast for the next couple of days isnt good.

Have a good week peeps

Elaine xx

 

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This weeks news......

Its been a good week at work, and I havent been able to say that in quite a few months, apparently our previous employer is going out saying he has sacked Debbie (he didnt she handed her notice in, followed by them putting her on gardening leave). They tried to bad mouth me too, but luckily people didnt believe what was said. To be honest I have walked away head held high.

The picture was taken durung our last holiday in Cornwall, Nova and I being silly and Gary catching the moment.

 

Garys Mum has had several falls this week, not sure why, in fact she rung us in the early hours of this morning, saying she had fallen again, paramedics had got her up, made her comfortable, tried ringing us, but the mobiles were downstairs and we didnt hear them until much later. One thing learned we must take mobiles upstairs when we go to bed.

Been to the Physio for more treatment on my longstanding back problem. Finally feels like I am getting there. Also had a great gym session with Nova and Punisher Chris. Cycling, Rowing, a few weight exercises and stretches. We are due to go again tonight, but that depends on what is going on with his Mum.

Had a session with Lara, (Lara Lewis Hypnotherapist) last night, we worked on a few things, I would highly recommend Lara as she works wonders. She got me through my bad black days.

Anyway I want to finish with another beautiful picture from Cornwall, this makes me feel very happy

So until next time

Live, Laugh and Be Happy

Elaine xxxxxxxx

 

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Update

Im going to try and write this blog every week, whatever news I have.

Its now been 7 weeks since I started my new job at Total Freight, Im loving it. Nice colleagues, very nice environment over looking the sea. Its been hard getting to understand their systems, but at last I feel like I'm getting there. Angie has been on holiday for the past 10 days, so its just been me and Chris, but we have really worked well together. He really seems to appreciate me, which is more than I can say of the last lot.

The hospital has decided to take me off my tablets and injections immediately, without even seeing me to discuss it, I am now struggling with what I guess are withdrawel symptoms, I am waiting on a referral back to the hospital.

I have been spending a lot of time over the last few months thinking about 'organising' my life, but to be honest everything seemed such a faff, Taking too much time to get going, that I know I was doomed to fail.

Talking to a friend of mine, she showed me a small moleskine diary, week to a page, plus a blank page to write all my notes on. I umed and arhed about it, and decided to give it a try, its a 18 month diary starting 1st July. I keep it in my bag along with a notebook of the same size where i keep any thoughts when they come into my head. I feel that this is a good idea for me, not complicated, but organised enough.

Today has been a beautiful day, lots of sunshine, very warm but breezy too. Im sat here in the lounge, blinds and window open, its lovely. Wimbledon on the TV.......Gary is working on backshift all week, Nova has gone to Portugal working for a few days, so Im home along, got to get some enthusiasm to do a few jobs. Sorting out the washing, folding and putting it away.

Have a fabulous week, and I will be back after the weekend

Live, Love, Elaine xx x x

 

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