Ichabod's Day

Was lucky enough to be invited to Alton Towers at the weekend to help celebrate a 7th birthday - what fun! I jumped at the chance but made it very clear that I didn't do scary, high, up and down or even upside down. I'm ok with spinning and I was happy to hold the bags oh, and I didn't do "wet" either. Perhaps not helped by husband suggesting that I beware of any rides that conquer gravity in fear of bursting open from my operation scar (ever the optimist!!). Little did I realise what the power of persuasion and the potential humiliation of being outsmarted by a 9 year old!!! The day itself turned out to be another lovely spring day with the promise of sunshine and clear skies - and my decision not to take a jacket was vindicated. Found the way there fine with the trusty satnav, parking no problem. First stop the monorail from the car park to the entrance gates - explained that this would probably fulfill my excitement quota for the day. Straight into the park - ...

Went away for the Easter weekend to Wales - what fantastic weather we had. We were up a mountain in a chalet (a v. steep 1in1 hill had to be conquered before reaching the place) near Aberdovey . The views of the estuary were tranquil and only the sounds of birdsong, sheep and children playing could be hear d. Just what we needed. Did a bit of beach activity one day for Bruno and some sightseeing - but mainly sitting out on the balcony in the sun, chatting, drinking, eating (lots) and general merriment. Then we came home and yesterday my car alarm decided to go off -- and off----and off. I quickly became the neighbour from hell as we tried everything to stop it. I couldn't control it from the key thingy. Even the man from Green Flag didn't know what to do so we ended up disconnecting the battery until I could take it in to a garage today. Anybody know how to disarm an Audi A4 alarm??

I've been teaching my family to use wikis - what a great application. We have decided to have a big get together for Halloween weekend and, as I've been off work for a while convalescing, I was tasked with finding somwhere that would take 16 of us and 5 dogs - no easy task I can tell you! Finally found a fantastic place in Lincolnshire where we have rented 3 apartments in the grounds of an old hall- but where was everyone to sleep to ensure any room sharing preserved modesty and the 5 dogs were spread out? After a few emails backwards and forwards between everyone - waiting for replies and making sure that everyone had access to all the info, I suddenly had a brainwave (doesn't happen very often). Why not use a wiki. I have been using these with both undergraduate and post graduate students and on abstracts and publications with colleagues in NZ and USA successfully for some time as a means of sharing and networking so thought I'd give it a go. I set one up ( very ea...

Am very excited today. I went to the bank to set up a business account for Yo-Yo Consultancies (links to our website but still a work in progress) It feels rather strange - almost like I signed my life away - but am very excited all the same. We have currently set the business up as a Partnership as I have joined with another occupational therapist and, both being employed full time, we will have only limited opportunity to develop the business into a major limited company at this stage. Yo-Yo will be an additional string to our bow and will initially concentrate on time limited contracts that offer advice, guidance and project management to occupational therapy related projects. The business will start at the beginning of April with a contract from the College of Occupational Therapists to consider the issue of the Advanced Practitioner role - so all systems go in the next few weeks - luckily I should be back to full speed by then. It is really quite daunting to be asked what the bu...

Yay I can now walk around like a " normal" human being without pain - albeit rather slow. I posted a status update on my Facebook page recently that said I was enjoying sauntering in the early spring sunshine - and a friend posted a comment that the word 'sauntering' isn't used much these days. But sauntering is most definitely what I am doing. I am forced to walk quite slowly and am therefore re-experiencing the joy of aimlessness and daydreaming. Normally I walk with purpose - to get to somewhere, to fetch something, always with a time limit on it (have never been one to walk as a hobby - this too is purposeful walking and tends to involve more hiking and treking than I can possible find enjoyable). I'm talking about aimless sauntering, the sort of pace one uses when walking home from school. Whilst engaged in this activity (admitedly this takes place in the cemetary as it's the nearest - being opposite the house) I have read the old stones and wondered ...

Well, the op did take place and I have not been able to sit for too long at my computer until today so haven't been able to post. After two weeks of walking like Mrs Overall in Acorn Antiques I can now stand up straight and walk a little way without doubling over. I have now experienced the "magic curtain" you know the one - the curtain that swishes round a hospital bed and suddenly makes everything secure, safe and confidential! This is certainly a strange phenomena from a patient perspective. The curtains of other's hold a fascination for the bedridden yet conscious - what is going on behind the barrier, who are those people who arrive with clipboard in hand and "swish" and then disappear into another world? As new patients arrive the magic curtain is "swished" immediately - to protect them from prying eyes or to keep them from escaping I wonder? Regardless of what professionals might believe about privacy and dignity - the curtains DON'T do ...

So, the NHS gets another chance! Tomorrow I go in for my op - fingers crossed that they go through with it this time - I don't think I could deal with another cancellation. I had occasion to test the NHS again last night and am sad to say that they failed yet again. I cut my finger on a steak knife whilst cutting a bit of beef for a sandwich - yes I know - not the right tool for the job- and predictably I sliced through the top of my finger. Now, those of you who know me will know that this is not an unusual occurrence - have had more stitches in various fingers than a tapestry - and no - I guess I'll never learn. Anyway, anyway after 2 hours it still hadn't stopped bleeding (despite being wrapped in a teatowel - ancient, little known remedy!) so decided that could just about drive to local hospital to get it seen to. Duly did - disturbed the dog who was snoring away on the sofa and thought he was settled for the night and arrived into an empty carpark. Now you'd have ...