Cough and splutter!

Now that was weird. We'd had an early night, but at just after 11pm last night, I woke up, coughing, spluttering and unable to get my breath. A few coughing fits later, I was fine, and I went back to sleep.



Strange!

Mum's health�

We're starting to get concerned (again) about Mum's health. The 'patches' that the Doctor gave her a while ago, to ease the pain with her other hip now don't seem to be helping much at all. Combine that with her falling into the TV and then into the fireplace on Friday has meant she's even more pain now.

After faffing around with NHS Direct, she eventually called in an ambulance yesterday and once in hospital, was given the once-over.

The good news was that she had only bruised herself and it was nothing more serious than that - I think she thought it was morer serious and she'd cracked the other hip.

The bad news? Apparently, she has to put up with the pain of the hip as it's simply 'wear-and-tear' � that just doesn't seem right to me, that she just has to 'grin-and-bear-it'.

Hhhmmm�.

Bertie's out of hospital

Lee rang today. They'll be releasing Bertie tomorrow and transferring him to a Care-Home very near to where they live in Cromer.

The eyes have it�

Mae has been due to have the cataracts in both eyes sorted out kicking off in January 2010. She was quite surprised therefore to get a call to bring the whole thing forward to� TODAY!

I spoke to her tonight and although parts of the process were quite painful for her, she was in good spirits and making jokes about 'parrots' and 'eye-patches'!!! We'll be meeting-up with her and Denis on Saturday coming.

Final Shopping Expedition of 2009..?

Ouch! I�ve woken up with a really stiff neck this morning � not sure how I�ve got that.

We�re off shopping to Leicester to get any last minute bits-and-pieces. There isn�t much left to do and I�ve also got 50 quids worth of M and S vouchers from Lee and Bertie to squander � lovely!!!

We parked in Highcross and it was already getting busy when we arrived at 11am. We started off looking around various jewellers primarily to find something for Ann as a celebration of 25 years together � Ann had sorted me out with a new watch a few weeks back. Initially, we didn�t see very much that we liked, and we disappointed that having walked all the way over to where Ann�s office is and more jewellers � they were all closed!

So, we headed back, stopped off at the Muffin Place for a coffee, a slice of cake and to experience possibly the happiest person in the UK currently � the proprietor � wishing everyone a happy Christmas and an enjoyable day!!!

We popped into M and S where I spent the vouchers on a couple of shirts and a stripy tie. Ann also picked up some shoes for work and some fluffy slippers.

I tried John Lewis to see if they stocked these headphones that have an FM aerial built-in them (so I can listen to the radio  on my new phone), but the guy reckoned the item was a �bit specialist� and suggested I tried Google for stockists.

Last stop, and we ended up back at Goldsmith�s where Ann spotted some very nice jewellery - the helpful assistant, Laura, was very knowledgeable and agreed to order some additional stone variations in for us to go back and have a look at next Saturday.

We were home by 2.15. Time for feet up and a read of the today�s papers.

Bat out of Hell� err�Feldkirchen

8.30 local time. For those of you who were disappointed to learn that Michael Schumacher is not returning to the race-scene, I have good news!

I can confirm that after extensive facial plastic surgery and an enforced two-stone weight gain, he is now driving a taxi from Feldkirchen to Munich Airport.

Overtaking on hairpin bends, straightening out any curve in the road network and regularly exceeding the speed limit (120kph in a 70 zone was a regular thing) ensured that I got to the airport in record time experiencing a mix of exhilaration and fright throughout. The only time I thought he wasn't Schumacher was when he stopped to point out a beautiful castle along the route!

If he's the pilot, then I will be nervous!!! - can't wait to get home.

Short break: Portsmouth (Day 2)

6.30am. I was up with the sound of birds and the faint sound of a hovercraft! A bright blue sky outside suggests today might be a fine day weather-wise.

8.30am. Breakfast calls, so it's a short walk across the road (!) and in through the back-door to the breakfast-room. It wasn't a very big room, and it was very busy when we first got there � but we were soon seated. Michael took our order � scrambled egg and salmon on granary bread for Ann; scrambled egg, sausage and beans for me.

9.30am. After breakfast, we took the short 5 minute walk into Southsea.

Once in the town, we headed for a unique John Lewis still called 'Knight and Lee'. Unique because it was very small and it had possibly the loudest escalators we'd ever seen heard. The staff seemed to have tune-out the noise, but we found it quite irritating. Back to the mission: I bought Ann some casual shoes and a belt. We then headed for Debenhams (sorely in need of some money being spent on it) where I stocked up on socks and added to my t-shirt collection. We then walked back to the hotel.

11.10am. We headed back into Southsea, to the Post Office to drop off a package. Whilst waiting for Ann, a Hummer turned up to pick up a load of girls on some sort of celebration. The Hummer was the centre of attention, with locals taking photographs and other motorists taking note of it blocking-up the high street! 

11.30am. We set off for Devizes to meet up with Johnny H and his wife Mel. On the way there, we stopped off in Wickham, a rather quaint town. We popped into Lilly's a small tea-shoppe. It was already busy but we spotted a table for two in the corner. Ann chose a baked jacket potato with ham and cheese whilst I went for the cranberry, brie and bacon sandwich � both delicious�and the service was excellent.

12,30pm. After picking-up some flowers for Mel in the shop next door, we resumed our journey, narrowly avoiding a short down-pour of rain.

2.15pm. We had a fairly good journey to J and M's, but because I'd set the sat-nav for shortest rather than quickest, we were directed away from the motorway which added to the journey time � it took about two-hours.

It was good to see them both again especially Mel, who's recovering from a very serious operation. The time flew and we were there until 6.30.

Ann drove back, and this time we stuck to the motorway, reducing the overall journey time by about thirty minutes.

8.00pm. We stopped off at Gunwharf Quays and decided to try out Chiquitos a Mexican Bar and Grill chain. We were quite hungry by now. The service was sluggish and the food OK rather than anything better � it could have been hotter too! We weren't offered a dessert and it took an age to get the bill�.but it filled a hole!!!

8.45pm We took a short walk along the top floor of the Quays towards the harbour. The view was spectacular, especially with the sun setting against The Spinnaker Tower (the phone on my mobile doesn't really do it justice).

9.45. We arrived back at the hotel. It's been a busy but enjoyable and rewarding day. Just time for a night-cap, a bit of TV and then � zzzzzzzz�

Big Mac and a Big Disappointment

I went for my six-monthly check-up at the local dental practice today. The dentist I saw was new and boy, was he rough - ouch! Last time my mouth was that stretched was back in the 1970s when I used to eat a whole Big-Mac in one mouthful! He looked as serious as hell throughout the encounter, and had no 'small-talk' whatsoever. I think I'll contact the Practice and switch to someone gentler, humorous and more of a conversationist�but mostly someone gentler!!

The 'measuring-man' from the local 'Rock Revelations' kitchen company was due to arrive at 1pm to measure the kitchen. His office rang to ask what time the appointment was � doh! When I confirmed 1 o'clock, they said they couldn't make it, so we arranged for later in the day, 3.30. Later I discovered I'd missed a message on my phone asking for directions � doh!, we'd emailed directions to them last week. I gave them again over the phone. At 3.30, no-one had arrived. When I rang, he was apparently 'two-minutes' away. Fifteen minutes later, still no sign of anyone.

I cancelled!

Humberto in Hospital

Lee rang to tell us that H had been rushed into hospital today. Early days yet, but Lee was told it was possibly a mild heart-attack.

Let's (not) Dance (Week 4 of 7)

We didn't go to the dance-class tonight as I've had a really bad headache on-and-off since Sunday night.

An early night for me tonight to try and shake it off.

Ann's not well

Ann took the day off today. It looks like her ear infection has returned together with a raging sore throat. Fortunately, the doctor prescribed some anti-biotics, so we'll see what difference they make.

Chinese 'blow-out' with Jo and Janet

In preparation for giving-up something for the period of Lent, we were invited to Jo and Janet's for a mega-Chinese meal!

I'm aiming to give up chips and ice-cream (and possibly chocolate too) for forty days! (Cue soundtrack from Mission: Impossible!)
 
Ann is giving up wine and chocolate!

The Chinese-food was probably the best takeaway we've had since we lived here - scrummy!

What happened next was shape the rest of the evening. We decided that I should have a go with the Nintendo Wii. The girls had played before - I'd never been near one!

Apparently, I was entertaining to watch and this was complemented by my lack-lustre performance overall in the various games and exercises.

Here are my results:

Balance(d)	Un!
Weight	Over!
Ski Slalom	Hopeless
Ski Jump	Better
Head-ball	So-so
Table tilt	Not bad
Bowling	OK
Boxing	Awful

....but it was GREAT fun and highly addictive!!!

Family Meal - Cancelled

When we got home from our meal last night there was a message on the answerphone. Mae's cold had turned into Bronchitis and she was cancelling the family meal. We were due to drive to theirs today.

Plan B is that Roger, Jane and Oliver are going to drop into us for coffee later today.

Mae in particular, will be really disappointed that she had to cancel. We don't get together that often as a family and we know the day would have been much more than just the meal.

Plan B changed to Plan C! Roger decided that he would go to Denis and Mae's for coffee and then come to us for lunch.

They had a good journey from Heckington, arriving just before 1.30. We tucked into lunch (Ann created a rather scrummy potato, bacon and cheese casserole followed by stuffed apples and/or chocolate cake - not bad for a few hours' notice!)

We finished off with tea and coffee. Around 3.30 it was time for them to make their way home.

Ann went for walk with Jo whilst I finished tidying-up.

Cholesterol results

I rang the surgery to get the results of my cholesterol check. Good news!! The figure was 3.1 which is the lowest it's ever been! ..and definitely on the right side of '5' -the magic number.
 
Maybe the fact that I was on loads of other medication at the time of the blood-test for my cold/flu and I hadn't eaten very much leading up to the blood test made a difference - who knows?

..anyway...a good result. I feel a blow-out curry coming on!!!! :)

Firing on all four...

Well, not quite - I still got the mother-of-all-coughs - but I certainly feel a whole lot better today. I even managed to catch-up with most of the work I'd been too ill to look at last week!

The biggest difference is that I feel much more energetic and that period of lethargy has now (hopefully!) been left behind.

Feeling better/Annual Health Check

I woke up this morning feeling much better. I'd had a good night's sleep and although the cough remains, I'm feel less lethargic and the wild extremes of temperature that I was experiencing, seem to have disappeared. 

Ironically, today is my annual health-check and I'm also going to see the Doc about trying to get rid of this cough.

The Doc felt that there was nothing seriously wrong with my chest - just the results of this bug that's going around. She prescribed 'Codeine Linctus' to help suppress the cough.

I'll need to ring the surgery in around a week to see the results of my blood test and my cholesterol.

Snow/Feeling Crap

I woke up today to find:

• Snow!
• I'd relapsed - Hot, sweaty and coughing up my lungs!..must get an appointment with the Doctor as this has gone on long enough!

On the mend?

Well, I'm starting to feel a bit better. The 'sweats' seem to have stopped and  had a good night's sleep last night. I've still got the chesty cough, but a switch to Boot's own cough mixture seems to be helping...

Nicki visits.../New Doctor Who announced

Nicki drove up to see us. The plan was for us all to go shopping in Birmingham.

Although I'd slept well, I just kept coughing and spluttering from the moment I got up, so I stayed at home and the girls went to Leicester to 'try-out' the new John Lewis there.

I went (back to) to bed!

They're going to announce who the new Doctor Who is going to be tonight on BBC1 at 17.35 - I think this announcement caught a few people out. Most of us weren't expecting the announcement until later this year. I wonder if there has been a leak.

So, they chose 'Matt Smith' - someone I'd not heard of. Apparently, he's the youngest Doctor ever cast - 26 years old! Wow! what a responsibility at such a young age!

Initial impressions around the web, seem to be mostly positive, although there is some negative comment concerning his age - and his looks - some referring to him as 'ugly'. Poor sod...he hasn't even even been seen in the part yet, and some are writing him off! 

As a 50-something, I really hope that the strategy is not to make series 5 too 'teeny'. I've great faith in Moffat's writing and I'm pretty sure that it'll all work-out...but like many others, I want to see him act first using a Moffat script before I confirm myself as a fan!!!

Still feeling like crap!

I thought after feeling better yesterday, I'd be feeling even better today - Nope!

I had a very restless night running a temperature. At one point, I coughed so hard, I felt sure I'd find one of my lungs, the other side of the bedroom!

I just can't seem to shake-off this cough...and all the coughing has just left me exhausted.

We went to bed in the afternoon for a couple of hours - that helped!

David and Val popped round around 6 for a cuppa, and t was good to see them both. Felt like we hadn't seen them for ages!

I'm feeling a bit better now - ham and eggs for tea!

Ann's friend, Nicki is coming tomorrow, in preparation for a 'new-year's-shopping-spree!

New Year's Day

I slept well, but still felt like c**** when I got up. Still, I just about had the energy to get the money up-to-date and make a few changes to the OCA web-site.

Ann went off to Bicester shopping and I went back to bed until lunch-time.

Ann got back about 3ish. By that time, I was feeling a bit better and my appetite seemed to have returned a little.

If I feel up to it, I might stay-up tonight ...as late as 9pm!!!!

New Year's Eve - Feeling yuk!

Bugger! I really wanted to be better for today. In fact, I think this is the worst I've felt. I stayed in bed all day (didn't get up until 6pm). I've still got this chesty cough which makes me sound like I'm smoking 60-a-day..and I feel so lethargic too!

Ann's joining Jo and Janet for New year's Eve celebrations - I just don't have the energy! We missed out on seeing Karen and Paul this year for her superb cooking!

Feeling yuk!

I felt very lethargic today and therefore did bugger-all. Hope I'm I'm feeling better for New Year's Eve tomorrow!

Feeling yuk!

I'm getting worse...sweats, feeling cold...yuk!

Mum returns home/Debbie and Stefan's for nibbles!

John arrived from RLL Flightlink at about 11 to taxi Mum back home. Apparently, it was a terrible journey due to the sheer volume of traffic. Instead of it taking around 2 hours - it was closer to 3!!

We popped into town to have a look around. It was quite quiet and the shops looked as tired as the staff! - it all looked very depressing...

Just after 3, we went to Debbie and Stefan's for nibbles in the afternoon. It was good to see all-the-gang again. Stella was there and so was Trevor, Fiona and Becca.

About an hour into it, I started to feel cold and shivery (Ann thought the house was on the cool-side. Anyway, my cough just got worse and worse and so we left early - I was soooooo cold - just couldn't seem to get warm even with a hot-water bottle. This was the worst I've felt for ages, so I went to bed at 7.

As expected, I had a terrible night's sleep - too hot - too cold - too hot! ..and I've now got a really chesty cough.

Boxing Day 2008

We both had a restless night again with most of the sleeping hours wrestling with bedclothes and windows - we were either too hot or too cold.

I eventually got us around 7.15 and after having a shower, I started to feel a bit better. I can't seem to shift this cough I've developed - sounds like I'm smoking 40-a-day!

We had a lazyish couple of hours and then headed for Mae and Denis's for lunch. We needn't have rushed. We had a good journey up there but Me's timing for getting lunch ready was, as always, hopeless! In spite of our tongues hanging-out causing a health-and-safety hazard, we still didn't eat until 2.30ish.

In the interim, we exchanged pressies.

Ok, it was worth the wait- the lamb was fantastic (Shetland sourced - where else?) and there was a choice of three desserts. You could tell I wasn't well - I only had ONE dessert - the Tesco Christmas Pudding.

We chilled out for a bit afterwards and left around 4.30. Ann drove and we were home by 5.55. Just as well, the gritters were out in force

A day in bed!

This virus has really got a hold of me. I felt very light on my feet and I was alternating between being freezing cold and having longs bouts of sweating. Yuck! I felt like s***. I didn't sleep a wink last night and so stayed in bed well into the afternoon. I got up aqt6pm!!!!

Fortunately, Ann was feeling much better, but we still had to ask Janet to do the last minute food shopping for us!

eBay PDA and a bad day for technology!

The PDA I won on eBay turned up and it looks great. However for reasons too complicated to describe here, after an initial 'OK' with the phone, it now won't recognise the O2 sim card. Bugger! ..and my first attempt at restoring all my data failed too with the device freezing in the final stages of the restore process. Oh joy! :(

I tried again and was a little bit more successful this time. I restored the data but minus the stuff - the databases - that froze it last time. The good news? it 99.9% restored everything OK. The bad news? The phone now can't 'see' my sim card - strange! The two events shouldn't be related, so I've no idea what's going on. The seller is going to let me have a file that'll re-unlock it, and I'll try again. Actually, he sent me a link to those good old boys (and girls) at xda-developers.com...but it said NOT to use the file on WM6.1 (which is what mine was upgraded to). Then I was advised to replace the ROM - Noooooo..that's well out of my comfort zone.

12.10 The phone rang and it was O2 telling me that my PDA had been replaced by a new one! Howzat? In a previous post they said they didn't do that anymore. Anyway, I braved the traffic into town and picked up my new phone - except it was the old phone (I know because of the slight dent on one side of it). The back-cover hadn't been returned, so they found me a spare. Luckily, I'd remembered to take the sim card with. They checked it, and it was OK.

It's now 1.30 and so far I've wasted all day and achieved nothing. The replacement PDA is currently in 'restore-mode' and we'll see how that turns out!

2.15 The restore worked more or less 100%. Strangely, it didn't restore the start menu setting nor my email account - but they were easily sorted!

4.30 All PIM data restored to the device - there's just a few 'little-bits' now to sort.

And if all this wasn't enough, the new 16Gb SD card I bought for the NetBook can't be read by Windows XP Home...!

It's not been a good day and it's not helped by me having a cold.

It got me...!

After being extremely careful for the last week or so trying to avoid catching what Ann has...it seems it finally got me! It began last night - I was a bit sniffy and I woke-up this morning with all the signs of a very bad cold.

Excellent! Just in time for Christmas!!!

Humbug!!!!

Christmas Tree

I started to put the tree up on Sunday, but didn't get around to finishing it off. Today I added the lights and the final remaining decorations.

Hhhmmm. I think I should have added the lights first!

Ann was feeling better today!!!!

Ann's still not well

It's very unusual for Ann to be ill - apart from the odd cold. This all started Saturday with a sore throat...then swollen glands. She saw the Doctor yesterday who confirmed that 'there's a lot of it about'. It seems she has some form of viral tonsillitis. Overnight, all those symptoms seems to have disappeared and she's now got a streaming cold!