Well this week has proved to be an eventful one too. Lorii found using the bathroom, on Monday morning, so painful she thought she would faint. I quickly decided I would take a couple of days off work, to nurse her, until the antibiotics had started to improve the situation.
Indeed by Tuesday evening Lorii was feeling much better and decided that she would try and catch up on her E-bay selling. I set up a mini photography studio in the dining room, to take the pictures, and Lorii got busy uploading the descriptions. The Evening flew by and before we knew it, it was one o'clock in the morning and we were both pretty pooped. However, when we went to bed Lorii started to suffer from severe chest pain. Not totally sure it was her heart she asked me to call NHS Direct. They wanted to send an ambulance. Being a mother who put her kids first she was not prepared to let them call an ambulance as it may scare them unnecessarily. So waiving their responsibility if she were to drop dead on the spot, Lorii promised to go directly to hospital under her own means; i.e. me.
I woke Katie and explained where we were going and why. Told her what to do in an emergency and got her to repeat it back to me. With strict instructions not to wake Jake unless she had too. (It was his reaction to his mum racing off to hospital that Lorii was most concerned about.) All sorted we got in the car and made the brief journey to Victoria Hospital. We parked the car, and with Lorii leaning on me heavily for support, made our way into Casualty.
We got the trainee receptionist. It really was a farce. With Lorii nearly unable to stand we were made to wait while a numpty was guided through the steps on the computer by an expert. Neither Lorii or I new whether to laugh or cry as this woman hit the wrong buttons on her computer and filled in the wrong info on the forms. Finally though we were sent through to Triage.
The Triage Nurse was very blasé. He informed us that the NHS Direct receptionist had sent through seventeen people that night, and that it was always busy when she was on duty. He then told us to go through to the waiting room and that they would call us through to do an ECG to make sure it was not a heart attack.
Our wait was very brief, and to the sound of low mutters from the other occupants of the waiting room, we were called through by a nurse. Lorii was then wired up to the ECG machine, and had her blood pressure taken too. That done we were left to wait until the doctor arrived. Lorii was very impressed with him. He gave Lorii a thorough looking over, answered loads of questions in a way she understood, and then sent her off to have her chest x-rayed, and have some blood samples taken.
The nurse who took Lorii's blood was a bit brutal, according to Lorii's expert analysis. But the x-ray really caused her to squirm! First they wheeled her bed down the corridor as she weakly protested that, "I can walk you know!" Next as she waited to enter the x-ray room a nurse quietly informed her she would have to remove her bra. You should have seen his eyebrows shoot up, and Lorii's face go red, as Lorii asked him about her piercings!
X-rays taken we were returned to Lorii's room to await the doctor with the results. When he did return it was with a small cup of indigestion medicine and the news that both Lorii's heart and lungs were fine. However he was still waiting for the blood results to come in, and he would be back with those as soon as he could.
Shortly after this Lorii was moved onto the Observation Ward. This was a bit of a giggle too as the night light for Lorii's bed did not work. Every time a nurse came to check on Lorii they had turn the wards main lights on, thus waking everybody, just to see her!
Lorii and I were both pretty tired by this point. It had been a busy day and was now around five o'clock in the morning. Lorii's chest was hurting just as bad and kept her awake, but I nodded in the chair next to her bed.
Finally the doctor returned with the blood results. They showed that she had a massive infection, but then we knew that. He concluded that Lorii's pain was most likely down to the antibiotics her GP had prescribed. He gave her some stronger antibiotics that had less side effects, as well as some super strength pain killers, and strict instructions to return if things did not improve.
Then, finally, we were discharged. It was eight o'clock in the morning and neither of us had any real sleep. As I had just taken two days holiday, once I had returned Lorii home, I then had to go into work. (Or else lose two days pay) I don't think I was much use to them. But hey! It's their silly rule.
On getting home Lorii's pain was finally fading. Katie had no recollection of the night. On getting up and seeing our bed empty she had assumed that I had gone to work, and that Lorii was downstairs watching telly. She had proceeded to plug herself into the computer, which was where Lorii found her when she got in.
Jake never knew a thing.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Health
Well life keeps twisting and turning. Been through a bit of a scary time. Lorii is not a well bunny, proper poorly in fact.
She went to the doctors a week ago, with what she thought was a case of cystitis that would not clear up. The nurse she saw was obviously alarmed after examining her, and Lorii was kept in for the best part of an hour as the nurse alternated between treating Lorii and consulting with a doctor. Swabs were taken and questions were asked about when her last smear was. Finally she was dispatched with a prescription for some super strong antibiotics and a triple length appointment to see her doctor on the Friday. No diagnosis was offered.
So Lorii gets home and is straight on to the web. Her symptoms fit two diagnosis; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or Cervical Cancer. Both are heavy shit. PID leaves you sterile. Cancer kills you. So we have spent the week with our hearts on our mouths wondering what the future has in store for us. Not fun.
Friday arrives and I sit in the waiting room praying that Lorii is going to come back out with a smile and a story about allergic reactions. Well I got the smile, coz she has not got cancer. PID was diagnosed though, so it looks like we'll have no more sprogs. Bit of a shitter that as we had been planing one. I'm not too sure how I feel about all this at the moment though as I'm just so glad Lorii does not have cancer. Right now she is taking so many pills I swear she should rattle. We left the chemist with so many drugs they supplied a large carrier bag. The plan now is we wait two weeks and then it is back to the doctors.
On a happier note we had the delight that is Katie's Parents Evening at school. All the teachers eulogised her wonderfully and Katie's ego is now measured in planetary terms. (I think it is somewhere between Saturn and Jupiter in size at the moment.) For some bizarre reason Katie's French teacher thinks she should go on to work in an embassy or consulate some where. Just sounds like a quick way to start a war to me. She may be good at languages but tact was never her strong point.
Jacob has turned twelve. Next stop and he is officially a teenager! Just recently he has been practising his teenager. His sulks are masterful, though the eye rolls and stamping both need work. Either way I feel he is well suited for the role and will do it well.
She went to the doctors a week ago, with what she thought was a case of cystitis that would not clear up. The nurse she saw was obviously alarmed after examining her, and Lorii was kept in for the best part of an hour as the nurse alternated between treating Lorii and consulting with a doctor. Swabs were taken and questions were asked about when her last smear was. Finally she was dispatched with a prescription for some super strong antibiotics and a triple length appointment to see her doctor on the Friday. No diagnosis was offered.
So Lorii gets home and is straight on to the web. Her symptoms fit two diagnosis; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or Cervical Cancer. Both are heavy shit. PID leaves you sterile. Cancer kills you. So we have spent the week with our hearts on our mouths wondering what the future has in store for us. Not fun.
Friday arrives and I sit in the waiting room praying that Lorii is going to come back out with a smile and a story about allergic reactions. Well I got the smile, coz she has not got cancer. PID was diagnosed though, so it looks like we'll have no more sprogs. Bit of a shitter that as we had been planing one. I'm not too sure how I feel about all this at the moment though as I'm just so glad Lorii does not have cancer. Right now she is taking so many pills I swear she should rattle. We left the chemist with so many drugs they supplied a large carrier bag. The plan now is we wait two weeks and then it is back to the doctors.
On a happier note we had the delight that is Katie's Parents Evening at school. All the teachers eulogised her wonderfully and Katie's ego is now measured in planetary terms. (I think it is somewhere between Saturn and Jupiter in size at the moment.) For some bizarre reason Katie's French teacher thinks she should go on to work in an embassy or consulate some where. Just sounds like a quick way to start a war to me. She may be good at languages but tact was never her strong point.
Jacob has turned twelve. Next stop and he is officially a teenager! Just recently he has been practising his teenager. His sulks are masterful, though the eye rolls and stamping both need work. Either way I feel he is well suited for the role and will do it well.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Hawks & Eagles
Wow, I had an awesome day yesterday. After posting a query on a falconry forum a while back, I received an invitation to bring Katie to spend a day, to find out what it was like to be a falconer for real. The idea being that after cleaning out an owls aviary of three weeks worth of guano, of helping with the dead rats and chicks the hawks eat and then going hunting so that Katie was in at the kill, she would be put off from such a demanding sport/lifestyle.
However the day did not work out as planned. The falconer, a very friendly gentleman by the name of Richard Cooper, started by giving us a brief tour of some of his birds. I've been to zoo's with less! He has eagles, falcons, hawks, vultures and even a parrot. He does not stop at birds either. As well as the ferrets and polecats he uses when hawking he has spiders, scorpions, hedgehogs and even sugar gliders. (That's flying squirrels to you and me.)
So after the tour Katie was presented with an owl enclosure that had not been cleaned for three weeks, a bucket and a pressure washer. A girl used to emptying the litter tray for the cat, as well as cleaning out our rats, Katie made light work of this.
Next we moved on to the larder and a collection of dead rats, chicks and birds. None of which fazed Katie, even when Richard pulled off the chicks legs and cut off their toes.
The hawks were boxed and put in the van. Then Richard dealt the line that made up Katie's mind even if he did not know it, "If you are going to hunt hawks you are going to need these too." So saying he extracted two ferrets from their hutch to squeals of delight from Katie. Hawks and cute furry animals? Oh pleeeze!
We then piled into his van and made a short trip to a local farmers field to hunt bunnies. Unfortunately we did not catch any, though that was not from a lack of trying. Katie was given the job of ferret wrangler, and said creatures certainly did their part. A number of rabbits were flushed but they were all very lucky bunnies. One managed to dodge a hawk as it stooped on it head on, and another managed to run nearly the length of the field, with both hawks in hot pursuit, to dive down a hole at the last second. Our lack of success did not detract too much from the hunt though. The anticipation of not knowing what was going to surface, a sprinting rabbit or the snowy face of a ferret was quite exciting, and when a rabbit thumped and ran for it the hawks were incredible. The scenery was stunning too; the field being close to the Pennines with their snow capped fells. We also saw two wild peregrine falcons dispute the patch of sky over our heads.
Once it was clear the rabbits were not joining in our game we headed back to base. Katie was given the job of holding a Harris Hawk while it devoured half a rat. I think Richard gave her this job in lieu of seeing bunnies die in the wild. Katie just stood there grinning as the hawk dismembered the rat on her hand.
As a finale to the day Richard took his newest bird, a enormous golden eagle called Morpheus for a fly in the field in front of his home. The bird is young and provided some comedy moments with some clumsy landings. But once on the wing this bird was spectacular.
So are we going to let Katie keep a Harris hawk? That I still do not know; But she is going to call hers Binky and I'm going to call mine Canth!
However the day did not work out as planned. The falconer, a very friendly gentleman by the name of Richard Cooper, started by giving us a brief tour of some of his birds. I've been to zoo's with less! He has eagles, falcons, hawks, vultures and even a parrot. He does not stop at birds either. As well as the ferrets and polecats he uses when hawking he has spiders, scorpions, hedgehogs and even sugar gliders. (That's flying squirrels to you and me.)
So after the tour Katie was presented with an owl enclosure that had not been cleaned for three weeks, a bucket and a pressure washer. A girl used to emptying the litter tray for the cat, as well as cleaning out our rats, Katie made light work of this.
Next we moved on to the larder and a collection of dead rats, chicks and birds. None of which fazed Katie, even when Richard pulled off the chicks legs and cut off their toes.
The hawks were boxed and put in the van. Then Richard dealt the line that made up Katie's mind even if he did not know it, "If you are going to hunt hawks you are going to need these too." So saying he extracted two ferrets from their hutch to squeals of delight from Katie. Hawks and cute furry animals? Oh pleeeze!
We then piled into his van and made a short trip to a local farmers field to hunt bunnies. Unfortunately we did not catch any, though that was not from a lack of trying. Katie was given the job of ferret wrangler, and said creatures certainly did their part. A number of rabbits were flushed but they were all very lucky bunnies. One managed to dodge a hawk as it stooped on it head on, and another managed to run nearly the length of the field, with both hawks in hot pursuit, to dive down a hole at the last second. Our lack of success did not detract too much from the hunt though. The anticipation of not knowing what was going to surface, a sprinting rabbit or the snowy face of a ferret was quite exciting, and when a rabbit thumped and ran for it the hawks were incredible. The scenery was stunning too; the field being close to the Pennines with their snow capped fells. We also saw two wild peregrine falcons dispute the patch of sky over our heads.
Once it was clear the rabbits were not joining in our game we headed back to base. Katie was given the job of holding a Harris Hawk while it devoured half a rat. I think Richard gave her this job in lieu of seeing bunnies die in the wild. Katie just stood there grinning as the hawk dismembered the rat on her hand.
As a finale to the day Richard took his newest bird, a enormous golden eagle called Morpheus for a fly in the field in front of his home. The bird is young and provided some comedy moments with some clumsy landings. But once on the wing this bird was spectacular.
So are we going to let Katie keep a Harris hawk? That I still do not know; But she is going to call hers Binky and I'm going to call mine Canth!
Friday, January 27, 2006
Bean Slicer
Woohoo! I've got a bean slicer... Okay I know this makes me look sad, but I've been after one of these bad boys for years. That said... Mum, I still want yours when you die!
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Look an eagle!
Well after our recent trip to Cumbria Katie has reaffirmed her burning desire to own and fly a bird of prey. This is down in most part to Karen and her Harris Hawk, Bob. For not only did Bob give a superb display. But Karen sold Katie on the idea, that it is indeed practical to keep a hawk, in the back garden of a mid terrace in Blackpool!
So I have learnt a lot about hawks and hawking over the past week. I even joined a forum where I got a lot of very good advice; Link to Forum
The upshot of all this is a very generous gentleman has invited Katie and I to spend a day helping him with his birds, in Cumbria. He runs his own falconry and has lots of birds, including Golden Eagles, Eagle Owls, Peregrine Falcons, Buzzards and Harris Hawks to name just a few. The idea is Kate helps butcher their food, clean their mess and in the afternoon go hunting. That way Katie finds out just how much work is involved and what it is like when a cute furry bunny meets death from above.
Off topic we have had a small piece of luck. Lorii has diligently been selling all the detritus around the house that we have no room for on ebay. Just recently she got around to posting a large collection of Subbuteo. It turns out one of the teams is very rare indeed, and it has cause quite a stir amongst the officiano. Bidding has been unbelievable, and while most teams sell for around £5 or £10 this team has already reached £86 and the auction is not over!
So I have learnt a lot about hawks and hawking over the past week. I even joined a forum where I got a lot of very good advice; Link to Forum
The upshot of all this is a very generous gentleman has invited Katie and I to spend a day helping him with his birds, in Cumbria. He runs his own falconry and has lots of birds, including Golden Eagles, Eagle Owls, Peregrine Falcons, Buzzards and Harris Hawks to name just a few. The idea is Kate helps butcher their food, clean their mess and in the afternoon go hunting. That way Katie finds out just how much work is involved and what it is like when a cute furry bunny meets death from above.
Off topic we have had a small piece of luck. Lorii has diligently been selling all the detritus around the house that we have no room for on ebay. Just recently she got around to posting a large collection of Subbuteo. It turns out one of the teams is very rare indeed, and it has cause quite a stir amongst the officiano. Bidding has been unbelievable, and while most teams sell for around £5 or £10 this team has already reached £86 and the auction is not over!
Monday, January 16, 2006
Shattered
I've got this cough. Just as I'm about to drop off to sleep I start hacking. :( It's 6.30 in the morning and I've not slept all night. I have to leave to work in 45 minutes and I'm feeling pretty glum. I cannot call in sick as employment laws dictate that if I don't return after paid holiday my employer does not have to pay my for the said break. And, unfortunately, my employers are tight enough to enforce the rule. Ho Hum
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Red Squirrel
Well I'm back from a fun week at Center Parc in Whinfell Forrest, Cumbria. Though it would have been better if Lorii and I were not both suffering with heavy colds.
We had lots of fun Badger watching (The real things not our dog.) squirrel spotting and flying hawks. Katie has really been bitten by the hawking bug, and is now determind to become a falconer.
I have turned forty. Thank you to all who sent me cards and presents. I am now patiently waiting for my life to begin.
We had lots of fun Badger watching (The real things not our dog.) squirrel spotting and flying hawks. Katie has really been bitten by the hawking bug, and is now determind to become a falconer.
I have turned forty. Thank you to all who sent me cards and presents. I am now patiently waiting for my life to begin.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Tomorrow never comes....
Well tomorrow is my fortieth birthday. I've been around that long? Bloody hell! Not sure how I feel about it. I didn't like turning thirty, but I've been experiencing nothing like the dread I went through in the run up to that. Perhaps that's because my life seems so sorted at the moment; Loving partner and family, stable job ect. I expect to be very busy from tomorrow so I'm not sure when I'll next post. I'll let you know how the big day went then....
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Mirror Ball
On the way home from work I noticed the Rollercoaster was all lit up, pretty unusual for this time of year. So with Jake keen to try out his new camera I took him straight back as soon as I got home. We both took pictures of the 'coaster. But this picture of the giant mirror ball has come out much better than I had expected.
Monday, January 02, 2006
This year and last...
Well here we are at the start of a new year. It seems to me that I should either start making a few more entries or quit all together. So while this is not a New Years Resolution lets see if I can improve….
So to bring things up to date;
My parents came up to visit just before Christmas. We really enjoyed their company and I hope they can do it again some time. It’s a big trip though and, what with fuel prices, it is never going to be something done very frequently. Unfortunately with Badger having a total rest order from the Vet, he had to go and stay with Lorii’s parents while my parents’ dogs were around. Shadow and Breeze had a great time on the beach, though I fell climbing the sea wall and hurt my back.
My back has been very slow to heal. The immediate bruising and stiffness cleared up as expected, but I live in fear of sneezing. Every time I sneeze it is as if someone is sticking a knife in my spine. The Doc thinks I may have bruised my Thoracic Ligaments, but said if the pain does not go in two weeks to return. Well it has been more than two weeks so I’ll be making another appointment soon.
Just before Christmas both Lorii and the kids were struck down with very heavy colds. While the kids losing the last week off school is no major drama, Lorii too ill to organise Christmas was. In the end it all got sorted, though we missed the deadline for the last post on the card front. The children, as always, got some great gifts. Jacob got a remote control Dalek, and a battery charger to ensure the intergalactic invasion does not get put on hold. He also received a digital camera, so I can see him posting lots of pictures on Flickr too. Katie got lots of cool clothes, including a Harry Potter scarf that she lives in, as well as some oriental style pyjamas that she is happy to spend all day in. Lorii was given some Channel 19 and I got OSX 10.4 for the Mac.
The New Year was seen in at the Paparazzi restaurant on Gynn Square. The food was stunning and Karaoke was laid on for afters. I embarrassed myself with a rendition of Queens ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ and unfortunately there is video evidence. Lorii’s sister Mel, who was back from Australia for Christmas, led us all in a chorus of ‘Sweet Caroline’ and the video of this too is tainted with proof that I cannot hold a note in a bucket.
As I write this Lorii is accompanying Mel to the airport to return to Oz. At some point the family has got to get back into the nine to five swing again. But with my fortieth birthday and a trip to Center Parcs looming on the horizon I’m not sure when or how…
Have a happy new year everyone.
So to bring things up to date;
My parents came up to visit just before Christmas. We really enjoyed their company and I hope they can do it again some time. It’s a big trip though and, what with fuel prices, it is never going to be something done very frequently. Unfortunately with Badger having a total rest order from the Vet, he had to go and stay with Lorii’s parents while my parents’ dogs were around. Shadow and Breeze had a great time on the beach, though I fell climbing the sea wall and hurt my back.
My back has been very slow to heal. The immediate bruising and stiffness cleared up as expected, but I live in fear of sneezing. Every time I sneeze it is as if someone is sticking a knife in my spine. The Doc thinks I may have bruised my Thoracic Ligaments, but said if the pain does not go in two weeks to return. Well it has been more than two weeks so I’ll be making another appointment soon.
Just before Christmas both Lorii and the kids were struck down with very heavy colds. While the kids losing the last week off school is no major drama, Lorii too ill to organise Christmas was. In the end it all got sorted, though we missed the deadline for the last post on the card front. The children, as always, got some great gifts. Jacob got a remote control Dalek, and a battery charger to ensure the intergalactic invasion does not get put on hold. He also received a digital camera, so I can see him posting lots of pictures on Flickr too. Katie got lots of cool clothes, including a Harry Potter scarf that she lives in, as well as some oriental style pyjamas that she is happy to spend all day in. Lorii was given some Channel 19 and I got OSX 10.4 for the Mac.
The New Year was seen in at the Paparazzi restaurant on Gynn Square. The food was stunning and Karaoke was laid on for afters. I embarrassed myself with a rendition of Queens ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ and unfortunately there is video evidence. Lorii’s sister Mel, who was back from Australia for Christmas, led us all in a chorus of ‘Sweet Caroline’ and the video of this too is tainted with proof that I cannot hold a note in a bucket.
As I write this Lorii is accompanying Mel to the airport to return to Oz. At some point the family has got to get back into the nine to five swing again. But with my fortieth birthday and a trip to Center Parcs looming on the horizon I’m not sure when or how…
Have a happy new year everyone.
Monday, December 26, 2005
Happy Christmas
Well I have had Unreal for a year now; and have spent over 186 hous online playing. No wonder I've not gotten anything done! Well I'm going to keep playing and wishing for Unreal 2007!
Happy Christmas every one. :)
Happy Christmas every one. :)
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Awards
Well what with the holiday and all I forgot to post this pic of Katie. She picked up four awards in the end, and we are all very proud of her achievements.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Holiday
Well the family has just got back from a great midweek break in Center Parcs Whinfell Forest in Cumbria. The whole package was fantastic and we all had a brilliant time. The weather was very cold and frosty which made the trees look stunning. The pool complex was huge, warm and the children were addicted from the start. So much so we had trouble convincing them to try out the other facilities. In the end we tried falconry, fencing, archery and willow weaving. Lorii was very proud of her conical plant trellis. The Lodge was huge and well appointed; we certainly enjoyed having a dishwasher again. The food at the restaurants in the Village Centre was good and very filling. One of the main highlights for me was that cars were banned from the forest from Tuesday to Thursday; so I was free to drink. Bliss! In fact we had such a great time we are planning our return in January! Where I get to celebrate turning forty!
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Magic Moments PhotoBlog
Magic Moments PhotoBlog Well seems my picture of a train in snow has been blogged by someone else. I have no idea if this blog is viewed a lot and if my view count is going to soar. Only time will tell...
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Illuminations
Well it is about time I brought this up to date. Quite a lot has happened since my last entry.
Lorii has quit from the Hotel. That in itself is a whole nightmare that does not need airing in such a public place. But the upshot is Lorii has been spending a lot of time at home.
Katie has decorated her bedroom. Well I use the term decorated in its loosest sense as, as is the want of all teenagers, she has painted her room black. Yes, even the ceiling.
Badger has hurt his knee. The vet has banned him for running, and given him some pills that make him manic! For a dog that lives to run this is pure torture, and the ban applies till mid December.
My work has been keeping me really busy, and I’m actually getting some overtime in. This helps as Lorii is not earning, but the downside is I’m giving up my Saturdays to work these hours.
Katie has secured two places for her work experience in March. She will be spending one week at Supreme, in the marketing department. Which should score her some high points at her school as it calls itself a business college. The other week Katie is spending at the local funeral home. Teenagers!
Lorii’s health has not been too clever of late. We don’t know what is wrong, and as her sugar has been under control, we don’t think it is related to her diabetes. Lorii’s temperature perception has been all over the place. One second she is freezing, the next the windows are being opened and the family shivers while Lorii sweats. Add to this some bad mood swings, joint pain, itching skin and a disrupted sleep pattern. Understandably Lorii is getting pretty down about this, I only hope it clears up soon.
I took a brief hour out to take some pictures of the Illuminations. Living in Blackpool the lights on the front are usually nothing more than an inconvenience. Thousands of tourists in cars, jamming the whole promenade for five miles and forcing the locals to use the back streets, is rarely seen as fun. I recently made the hideous mistake of forgetting about the lights when popping out to the local Sainsburys in Bispham. This is the northern start point of the lights, and Jake and I were stuck in a traffic jam so slow that it took us 20 minutes to move the one hundred yards to the car park.
If you are interested in viewing the Illuminations may I recommend you plan your visit around 10.30pm mid week away from school holidays. You’ll be able to drive from Starr Gate to Bispham without the engine overheating, or having your view blocked by a coach full of pensioners staring out of steamed up windows!
Lorii has quit from the Hotel. That in itself is a whole nightmare that does not need airing in such a public place. But the upshot is Lorii has been spending a lot of time at home.
Katie has decorated her bedroom. Well I use the term decorated in its loosest sense as, as is the want of all teenagers, she has painted her room black. Yes, even the ceiling.
Badger has hurt his knee. The vet has banned him for running, and given him some pills that make him manic! For a dog that lives to run this is pure torture, and the ban applies till mid December.
My work has been keeping me really busy, and I’m actually getting some overtime in. This helps as Lorii is not earning, but the downside is I’m giving up my Saturdays to work these hours.
Katie has secured two places for her work experience in March. She will be spending one week at Supreme, in the marketing department. Which should score her some high points at her school as it calls itself a business college. The other week Katie is spending at the local funeral home. Teenagers!
Lorii’s health has not been too clever of late. We don’t know what is wrong, and as her sugar has been under control, we don’t think it is related to her diabetes. Lorii’s temperature perception has been all over the place. One second she is freezing, the next the windows are being opened and the family shivers while Lorii sweats. Add to this some bad mood swings, joint pain, itching skin and a disrupted sleep pattern. Understandably Lorii is getting pretty down about this, I only hope it clears up soon.
I took a brief hour out to take some pictures of the Illuminations. Living in Blackpool the lights on the front are usually nothing more than an inconvenience. Thousands of tourists in cars, jamming the whole promenade for five miles and forcing the locals to use the back streets, is rarely seen as fun. I recently made the hideous mistake of forgetting about the lights when popping out to the local Sainsburys in Bispham. This is the northern start point of the lights, and Jake and I were stuck in a traffic jam so slow that it took us 20 minutes to move the one hundred yards to the car park.
If you are interested in viewing the Illuminations may I recommend you plan your visit around 10.30pm mid week away from school holidays. You’ll be able to drive from Starr Gate to Bispham without the engine overheating, or having your view blocked by a coach full of pensioners staring out of steamed up windows!
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Awards
Well that lump of grey stuff between Katies ears has been showing off again. Last year it was only one, but this year Katie is collecting two awards! Needless to say both Lorii and I are very proud. My only concern is that Katies shyness will spoil this. Last year the thought of standing on the stage at school did not delight her. So how will she react to a command performance at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool! Is this really the way to encourage a young girl to academic excellence.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Bush - One of the worst disasters to hit the US
Wonderful. I only hope this really was flashed across the tv's of America, and is not a photoshop trick.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Thing bites dog!
This is a picture of Breeze. Some 'thing' bit her, I don’t know what, but the result was a huge septic wound. She spent a few days in the vets, had a drain installed, and finally an operation to clean out the infection. Finally home, with my parents she is now the owner of the latest in post operative hair styles as well as some bitchin’ stitches!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Coke, Jake and skirts
Well I have momentous news for those who know me well. I have given up Coke. I use the capital letter to differentiate between the white powder I have never used, and the soft drink full of caffeine. It was the caffeine that made me stop. I was fed up with the splitting headache I got if I didn’t have a Coke for a while. I actually had my last Coke three weeks ago, but I’ve been waiting this long to see if I could stick with it. So friends and family no longer need to make sure they have the real thing in stock any longer, and I can come down from the walls and chill out a bit.
Jake had his first day at secondary school today, Katie returns tomorrow. I took pictures of him in his new uniform, but he made me promise not to post them on the Internet. So if you want to see how debonair he looks you’ll have to ask him to change his mind.
We spent a stupid amount of our free time last week, looking for a dressmaking pattern for a pleated school skirt for Katie. None of the very reasonably priced, ready made affairs, in the shops are quite right. So Katie has bought some fabric, with the intention of making it up as she goes along. Lorii has sensibly insisted that she acquire a pattern first. But patterns seem to be very elusive things. So if anybody out there knows where one can be found…
Jake had his first day at secondary school today, Katie returns tomorrow. I took pictures of him in his new uniform, but he made me promise not to post them on the Internet. So if you want to see how debonair he looks you’ll have to ask him to change his mind.
We spent a stupid amount of our free time last week, looking for a dressmaking pattern for a pleated school skirt for Katie. None of the very reasonably priced, ready made affairs, in the shops are quite right. So Katie has bought some fabric, with the intention of making it up as she goes along. Lorii has sensibly insisted that she acquire a pattern first. But patterns seem to be very elusive things. So if anybody out there knows where one can be found…
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Lantic Bay
Beach combing between the piers at Blackpool usually turns nothing up more interesting than a jellyfish or a dead seagull. Today then was a real treat for the tourists. A ship! I think it’s a dredger, but why it was beached in front of the tower I cannot guess. If anybody knows I’d be interested in finding out…
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