Month: April 2023

I had intended to go to church this morning and was disappointed not to be able to join Paul and Freddie, but I’d promised to go and visit Mum after the phone call from the home yesterday. So I was up and about quite early and on my way by about ten o’clock.

Mum wasn’t too bad in fact but, having decided she didn’t want any more of her toast and jam for breakfast, it was still sat there on the table in front of her, one quarter of a slice having been eaten. The staff had tried to persuade her, but no luck. She had a cold cup of tea in front of her too, half-drunk, so the care assistant made her another one when I got there, and then Mum and I sat together for a couple of hours while she drank her tea, ate some of her Easter chocolate and drank up some squash.

She enjoyed my company and was grateful for a bit of a back massage, too.

The staff on duty were very good. They had given her a bath this morning and, as usual, she had screamed the place down, apparently. Bless her. Her sore arm was painful and the nurse on duty gave her paracetamol which Mum took without too much fuss. So all in all, I was pleased with the efforts of the staff today – and they promised to try her on some soup and maybe offer her some jelly and ice cream in an attempt to get some fluids into her.

I left about twelve-thirty, promising to check up on her again tomorrow.

Meanwhile, John had had a lovely morning with Paul and Freddie, who had called in after church. He hid some little Easter Eggs for Freddie to find, as he’d missed out at Easter while they were on their holiday in Florida. I think he enjoyed searching for them and eating them!! John certainly enjoyed their company.

John was catching up with the women’s rugby match from yesterday when I arrived home, so I prepped some lunch before nipping up to the shops to buy ingredients for Tuesday’s lunch when we’re entertaining.

I sat on the sofa. John was watching the Grand Prix by then. Our eyes felt heavy…….. several hours later, we woke up. Oh, heavens!! Where has our energy gone??? We are permanently exhausted, it seems.

“Do you want a cup of tea?” John asked once I woke up. “We haven’t got any teabags,” I replied. “I forgot to get them when I went to the shops…” So John took himself up to the shops to buy some – what a guy. What a hero.

By then, we had got ourselves going well enough to prep food for our evening meal tonight, and John prepped for our lunch on Tuesday, but honestly, it was a push for both of us. Ah, well, maybe an early night now and we’ll feel better tomorrow? Hope so!!

Take care everyone. God bless.

Saturday. What to do on a Saturday? Well, this morning I actually managed to winkle myself out of bed by about 9.30 and get ready for a writing course. And not such a struggle to emerge for a change.

John had got up before me and brought me a cup of tea in bed, which was rather good, and then we thought we ought to get on. Stop all the faffing about and procrastinating!!

John went and tinkered on the car for a couple of hours. He said it was quite hard work and came in just after 1.30 absolutely jiggered! He staggered into the lounge, still wearing his work clothes, and flopped onto the sofa. I’d suggested he have a bath to ease his aches and pains. “I’m not having a bath yet,” he insisted. “I’m too knackered!”

Meanwhile, I had had a lovely morning doing the ‘Writing for Wellbeing’ course, where we write absolutely anything in response to some stimulus or other. Today it was about ‘Our Creative World’. It certainly gave me lots to think about and I wrote loads – as usual!! Even managed a poem which the group thought was OK. Go me!!

We sat down for some cheese on toast at lunchtime and just mooched on the sofa for a while, watching the Grand Prix Qualifying. Poor John had his work cut out trying to explain to me the new rules about ‘The Sprint’. All I could ask was, “But why?” Makes absolutely no sense to me and I got bored after a bit.

John went up for his bath eventually and I nipped up to the shops to buy some indigestion remedies. I’ve been suffering for a week or two – I think it might be too much prosecco – and thought I’d try a remedy or two before I toddle off to the doctors and the dreaded offer of an endoscopy…….

Home again and John was still languishing in the bath when a text message from Danielle came in. The electricity was off in their neck of the woods. And wouldn’t be on again until 11 o’clock at night. And now it was tea-time. ‘Do you want to come round?” I asked. Yep, that’d be just the ticket! And what about the Kenilworth Originals? Were they affected? No, apparently not.

I thought they might sleep over, but in the end, they went home just as dusk was falling to put the boys to bed, all armed with lamps and torches. What an adventure it would be for the children!

We had a lovely couple of hours together and I feel blessed that we were able to support them for a little while.

Just as they were getting the children ready to leave I took a phone call from Mum’s Care Home. Apparently she’s refusing to eat or drink and they thought they ought to let me know. Botheration! I had had high hopes when I saw her on Thursday that she was on the mend. I’ll call in tomorrow and see what’s what, and see if I can persaude her to ingest something. We’ll see.

And that was us done for the day. We waved goodbye to the Kenilworth Newbies and settled in for a bit more Grand Prix and a catch-up on programmes we’d recorded, before making our way up the wooden hill.

Not a bad day today despite our continued fatigue and John’s impression of the Puffin’ Billy.

Goodnight everyone. God bless.

Neither of us was keen to get out of bed again this morning. John was up first, but not until 10 o’clock, and he brought me a cup of tea in bed. “We’re due at Pete and Dawn’s at half-past,” I said. “You’d better get up then!!” John grinned. I did, but it wasn’t half a struggle!!

We were a few minutes late arriving at Pete and Dawn’s but they said they didn’t mind. Cups of tea and coffee, a plate of cakes and biscuits, and we were off! A morning of lively chat, mulling over the world and its failures, and espousing what we would do to put it right if we were in charge. Great fun!

We came home at lunchtime and had a bite to eat before I suggested that I go to the bank this afternoon. We had an old fifty-pound paper note, no longer legal currency but changeable at the bank, that I was eager to exchange. John thought he’d tinker with the car if the weather was OK, so I left him to it and popped into town.

My intention was to nip in and out but, by the time I’d been to the bank and then Sainsbury’s, it was time for the children to come out of school. I thought I’d nip round to the Kenilworth Originals and cadge a cuppa there.

Well, that idea didn’t work out as I had thought! When I finally caught up with them, they were in Wilko’s – Freddie was selecting his Friday sweets from the Pick ‘n Mix. “Meet us in town,” said Harriet, when I phoned, “and we’ll have a cup of tea out in a café instead.” That suited me, so I parked the car and walked to Wilko’s to meet them. And who should be there as well? Michael and his children, also choosing their Pick ‘n Mix!

We thought about where we might go for a cuppa. Michael didn’t want to intrude upon the party. “Well, they didn’t know I was coming, so you’re not intruding,” I said. “And anyway, I thought you’d all be at the Green Man!” Everyone’s eyes lit up at the idea of going to the pub on a Friday tea-time. So that’s where we went and had a lovely time, sitting outside in the sunshine.

I phoned John. “Where are you?” I asked, thinking he’d be under the car. “I’ve just woken up,” he replied. I told him that we were going to the pub and did he want to get an Uber and meet us there? He declined, saying he was definitely going to get the car out and tinker.

So that’s where I found him when I got home just after six o’clock. His head under the wheel arch trying to establish what was what under there. He thought he might be there another hour – he was fitting bolts on under the wheel arch, I think….

Poor John. He was another hour. He came staggering in, absolutely exhausted. He’d had a fight with the car and not quite finished what he’d intended. In the end, he’d had to jam a screwdriver in one of the holes to get the wheel back on so that he could drive the car back into the garage!! I suspect he’ll ache tomorrow – all that kneeling down and twisting about to get at the intricate parts of the car won’t have done him any good at all. We’ll see. But who knows? It might just be the tonic he’s after!!

Take care everyone. God bless.

Yesterday, John was at the hospital again for his immunoglobulin treatment. I had great plans for while he was there – I was going to come home and do all sorts of jobs, but it didn’t work out like that. I managed a phone call or two in relation to Mum’s affairs and that was it.

I collected John at mid-day and thought I might get on a bit in the afternoon. But fatigue overcame me and I did nothing. John, too, felt fatigued and he didn’t do much either.

Paul and Harriet came over for tea and we were really looking forward to it. Harriet had plenty of excellent advice on sorting my Mum out, for which I was very grateful. Lily did all the cooking on what was an absolutely delicious meal and which all the grown-ups enjoyed. Freddie wasn’t so keen however and, in the end, the Kenilworth Originals left a bit earlier than expected to see if an early night might recoup some of the jet lag from which darling Freddie is still suffering.

I think it worked, because this was the happy photo we had this morning of Freddie reading the back of the breakfast cereal box. I remember his Daddy doing that when he was little, too…..

Our fatigue has left our patience low and we are quite short-tempered. And we felt even more fatigue roll in as the family left last night, swallowing us up – so much so, that neither of us felt we could make any contribution to Quiz Night and so we sent our apologies. We hoped an early night might sort us out, too!

John managed to tinker a bit on the Lotus today and I did make it to yoga this morning. But the fatigue hasn’t gone away. We’re putting it down to our exciting weekend away, followed by lots of hospital trips this week, worry about Mum and, of course, post-Covid…..

More admin and phone calls about Mum today, and then I popped over to see how she was getting on. She was lot better than when I saw her on Monday, and they had managed to get her dressed. She was pleased to see me but wasn’t quite sure who I was. However, she had a giggle over her efforts in folding a napkin and playing peekaboo with her fingers. I captured this lovely photo of her.

Mum has a very nasty injury to her left elbow though, which needs dressing. The District Nurses had called in today to do the job, but she screamed so much that they went away without managing it. One of the care assistants pounced on me as I arrived and said, “Now that you’re here, perhaps she’ll let me re-dress the wound. Come on!”

I doubted that I’d be able to persuade Mum but, with a lot of cajoling, and telling her to hold onto my hand tight while the dressing was changed, we got the job done. We could have done with ear defenders though. Mum screamed the place down…….

I am hoping to speak to the doctor tomorrow to discuss Mum’s case and see if there is any support they can offer. Wish me luck!!

We are hoping that our fatigue leaves us by the time we wake up tomorrow so that we can tackle all those jobs that we have on our very long lists….. we haven’t even started in the garden yet this year!!! Fingers crossed anyway, ‘cos time is a-marching on…….

Take care everyone. God bless.

Hospital on Monday; Hospital on Tuesday; Hospital on Wednesday…… we’re back at it, folks!

We travelled across to the Dudley Road Eye Hospital on Monday, for John to have his eyes checked. All good there, although we were late. We thought the appointment was at 10.30, only to find that it was actually at 10 o’clock! Ah well, they saw John anyway and were pleased with the current state of play.

In the afternoon, I popped over to see Mum and found that she was still under the weather and looking a bit of a poor soul. There was no-one in authority there for me to see to discuss her case, so I decided to give them a ring today. As it turned out there was no-one who wanted to talk to me today either! Might have to take another trip across tomorrow and see what’s what.

I think Mum was feeling a bit better today because I understand that she did actually get dressed this morning. I had found her in her nightie and wrapped up in a blanket when I went yesterday afternoon.

This morning we went across to Heartlands Hospital for John to have a face-to-face chat with one of the oncology doctors. John has been feeling neglected and getting ever angrier that the treatment seemed to be delayed, leading to his current situation, which is no longer the ‘curable club’.

The discussion helped a little bit, and the doctor promised a follow-up appointment in the next six to eight weeks. We set off home to try and get back in time for John to take a telephone call for a counselling session. As it turned out, John ended up taking the call sat in the back of the car on the drive, as we had been so late seeing the doctor at Heartlands.

Anyway, after the phone call John was absolutely determined to get his Lotus out and have a look to see if he could cure the problem with the engine. He got it going and it sounded alright to me!! His verdict? Firing OK on three of the cylinders, but one was still misbehaving. A bit more work yet……… he’s got to get back at it!! Fingers crossed the weather stays fine enough for him to be tinkering with it outside.

Take care everyone. God bless.

We started packing our suitcases for a lovely relaxing weekend away at Sue and Chris’s. John set his alarm and started getting ready early, so that we could set off in good time on Friday morning.

However, before we had got very far in the packing and setting off stakes, I took a phone call in the middle of Thursday night. “Hello, It’s Joe from Orchard Blythe. Your Mum has had a fall and hurt herself.” Oh, crumbs. “We’ve called the paramedics and I’ll let you know how we get on.”

I managed to get back to a shallow sleep awaiting said phone call but, by the morning, there had been not been one. I phoned the home to find out what was happening. Apparently, Mum had been taken by ambulance to Heartlands Hospital at about four in the morning and they had forgotten to let me know. She was in A & E. Ha! Well, I spent ages on the phone trying get through to A & E to find out how she was and what her injuries were.

Naturally, my first thought was that I needed to get down to the hospital to see what was what. But, as it turned out, there was really nothing I could do that would be of any use if I went. The staff reassured me that they were treating her with pain relief, she was due to have X-rays and would be going to a ward soon. Nothing serious as far as they could tell.

She was complaining of pain in her ribs but there were no broken bones, simply bruising, and she had taken the skin off her arm. No-one at the care home knew how she had fallen, all they knew was that they’d put her to bed about 12.30 and twenty minutes later found her on the floor.

Mum spent the weekend in hospital but went back home today, Sunday, at tea-time, pleased to be back and greeting the care staff very cheerily. That’s a relief!! I shall go and see her tomorrow and see how the care home plan to look after her with her injuries. The District Nurse is going to be asked to dress her arm, I understand.

Meanwhile, we did eventually pack up our suitcases on Friday morning and, having taken advice from several sources – John, Michael, Harriet – I concluded that we would set off for Sue and Chris’s, on this, ‘the third time lucky’, after all…..

We had a smooth journey down to Hampshire and arrived mid-afternoon. And what a warm welcome we received! Oh, it was so lovely to see them.

And that was it then – we were off. Chatting away and laughing together all weekend. Relaxing. Sue and Chris were just the most perfect hosts. Aaaand……breathe……

We planned to do very little – other than eat, drink and sleep, of course – and perhaps wander into the village and browse the shops. Or maybe a walk over the heath. One point of interest, as always though, was Christopher’s car…….

Chris, over the years, has been restoring a 1939 Riley 9. Every time we have visited, we have inspected the progress on the car. And, of course, with lockdown and retirement, Chris had a bit more time to work on it, so…… it’s finished! And working! Just look at this!!

What a stunner!!! We couldn’t wait to try it out! Chris gave John a ride in it on Friday, not long after we arrived, and then gave me a ride in it on Saturday. It was very exciting! We absolutely loved the car and take our caps off to Chris, who has clearly done a fabulous job on it.

Other than the excitement of a car ride and, for me and Sue, a leisurely walk into the village on Saturday morning to meet up with Chris, we did nothing else. John was very tired and a touch under the weather on Saturday, so slept quite a lot. The carefully charged-up new wheelchair languished in the garage, unused.

This morning, as it was raining and a trip outside was out of the question, we all marvelled at the London Marathon as we watched the various races on TV, and reminisced about our various family members and friends or acquaintances who’d taken part in previous years.

John was disappointed that he hadn’t had more energy over the weekend to get ‘out and about’ – and that his trip into the village didn’t materialise due to the rainy weather, but he very much enjoyed everyone’s company and was delighted just to be away from our own four walls.

Aren’t we lucky to have such dear friends? It was just what we needed and we were so glad we managed to make the trip. Our thanks to Sue and Chris for their calming and delightful company. Here’s to the next time!!

And that’s all folks! Take care everyone. God bless.

It was Oliver’s birthday today (and it was my good friend Sue’s 70th today, too) and so Grandpa had been tasked (as is tradition) with making the birthday cake for the young man.

We mulled over what shape cake we might make….. we always like to choose something that the child is keen on. William had a banana-shaped cake for his 1st birthday, because he was keen on eating bananas; Thomas had an aeroplane-shaped birthday cake for his, because he was keen on aeroplanes; and Oliver? Erm……. well, you know the Kenilworth Newbies have a dog? Oliver is obsessed with…. have a guess?

……..Chester’s Dog Bowl!!! Although, to be fair, this picture is of Oliver in the park with any old dog bowl which, it seems, will do.

Now, this has become a family joke, so what else could we do but make a copy of Chester’s bowl? I know it may not look like a dog bowl to you but, I assure you, this cake is a replica of Chester’s water bowl….. 😂😂😂

And boy, did we have fun making it! Chocolate cake with butter cream filling on the inside and fondant icing on the outside. We made the icing with a little bit of food colouring and then we painted it with sparkly stuff to try and make it look like metal.

And we had hours of fun making a sugar glaze for the water effect. We reckon it took 8 goes to get it something like, and even then, I wasn’t altogether happy with it, but John said, “Oh, come on!! Oliver is one year old – he won’t even notice the water effect!” Oh…. alright then…….

We went round to the Kenilworth Newbies for a party tea, and were delighted to see the Kenilworth Originals there, too. So lovely to have them back from Florida.

A little drop of champagne to toast the boy? Don’t mind if we do!!

We had a lovely time together – the boys, in particular, were happy to be playing together again, and we were delighted to be catching up and sharing our news.

We are not sure what Oliver made of his cake – he looks a bit bemused – but both William and Thomas thought it was cool…… and here is William blowing out the candle for Oliver, like the good big brother that he is!

And a good time was had by all.

Take care everyone. God bless.

We didn’t get up very early this morning and John thought better of going to his exercise class because Andrew was still home and he was keen to make the most of their time together. Not only that, but I was promising to cook a Full English Breakfast, so there was no way that he’d be able to exercise on a full stomach.

The lure of the breakfast and the smell of bacon brought Andrew downstairs mid-morning and we all sat round and ate together, which was very nice.

I am not quite sure what we did next, but I know I was busy doing ‘tidying’ things before it was soon time to wave goodbye to Andrew.

Our plan for the day was simply to make Oliver a birthday cake so, after Andrew had left and armed with Christiana’s trusty recipe, I prepped the ingredients and made the cake. Not my usual activity, of course, as that’s normally John’s domain, but he was feeling weary and couldn’t quite get on it today.

We had a debate about which tin to put the mix into because we are making a specially-shaped cake. Anyway, we rummaged around among the cake make-making tins and came up with something that might do the trick. John had sent away for a special ingredient for the icing which duly arrived, and we’re now planning the decoration for tomorrow….. we hope it works! Watch this space, folks!

And that was it, then. We flaked out on the sofa and watched TV for the rest of the day, only stopping for an evening meal and drinks……. After a busy weekend we’re feeling pooped and a little bit low. It’s probably just the Monday Blues. Maybe we’ll be better tomorrow? Fingers crossed anyway!

But the exciting news is that the Kenilworth Originals are back!! We followed their journey from Tampa airport, where their flight had been delayed by about five hours, to their arrival home which was about eight o’clock tonight. I bet they are exhausted! But we can’t wait to see them!! Maybe tomorrow? That’d definitely make us feel better, wouldn’t it??

Take care everyone. God bless.

So this weekend was smashing with friends and family. Yesterday, we got up early and by ten o’clock had readied ourselves for a walk at Draycote Water in Dunchurch with Dave & Chris, and George & Sue. John was wearing his ‘Mr Determined’ coat, and drove us there. When we arrived the others were already there and waiting for us.

John has a new wheelchair and decided it would be a good location in which to try it out. And, in theory, it was but……. more of that later.

“What shall we do first?” we asked each other. “Walk? Coffee?” Ha! Ha! As if we needed to ask!! Coffee, of course. So we toddled into the café and settled down for a jolly good chat.

About an hour or so later, we thought that, as we’d come for a walk, we’d better actually go for a walk, so we set off. Oh, my goodness! The terrain for the wheelchair was perfect; the company, too, was perfect; the weather was fine; and the scenery appealing. But the midges!!! Crikey, the air was black with the blighters!!

We walked, wafting our arms about, as the midges landed on and in our hair and clothing, in our mouths as we talked, and nearly up our noses. It was foul!! It must have been an amusing scene though, as everybody was waving their arms about and shaking their heads.

As we walked along, people returning from their walk grinned at us (or did they grimace?) and greeted us with the words, “It gets worse the further you go!” Great! What Job’s Comforters. In the end, I think we only walked about 200 metres before we bottled it and decided to go back.

We milled about a bit near the café, resting on the wall, wondering whether to go straight for lunch or to try a path a bit away from the reservoir. In the end, we chose a different path. “It’s a bit of a grassy hill, John,” I said, having reccied the route. We thought we’d try it anyway, to put the wheelchair through its paces. At that point, George fancied a go in the new wheelchair and he gamely tried to steer it up the hill. On the slippery grass, the wheelchair was having none of it – but it made us all giggle as it slithered about.

We had a lovely walk along by the children’s play area though, and the wheelchair did make it up the road hill, so we were pleased with that. John had a hairy moment or two coming down the hill though as it careered out of control……. but it made us giggle – well, once we were confident John was OK, anyway!

Here is everyone, having a bit of fun!!

We had lunch after we’d taken our walk and, as had happened when we went out for lunch with Dave and Chris and Rob and Kaye recently, we were soon nattering nineteen to the dozen and had to be kicked out at four o’clock! Eeeh, we know how to enjoy ourselves!

In the evening, we sat down to watch Britain’s Got Talent on TV. Why? Because Michelle, Dave and Chris’s daughter, featured in one of the acts – The Big Sing! What a joyous sing it was, too! Just fancy! Someone you know being on the TV! How exciting!

Michael and Danielle came home from London about nine o’clock and, rather than allowing Chester to bark and wake the baby up when they got in, I walked him up the road to meet them. Made me laugh…. I could hear William chattering away to his Mummy all the way from the island!! Anyway, Chester was thrilled to see his family, and the ‘no barking’ plan nearly worked……

After we’d put the children to bed, we stayed up a bit later than normal so that we could hear all about the trip. It sounds like they walked miles and miles but had an absolutely wonderful time – as they are already planning their next trip!

And today? Well, of course, it was an early start because the children snuggled into bed with me this morning, which was lovely. And the day rolled on delightfully, playing, chatting, baking, eating, drinking, resting.

I was delighted that Michael and Danielle prepped the Sunday Roast – what a treat. We were all sat down in the dining room and had nearly finished our main course, when the front door opened…… and who should be coming in? Andrew! Great excitement! We hadn’t been expecting him, so it was a wonderful surprise. Ah…….

And that’s it! A great weekend of family and friends – although just to add that John hasn’t really felt so good. He is feeling a bit helpless as he watches everyone busy around him, so we might be making an appointment at the doctor’s this week. Positive vibes, or prayers if you are that way inclined, would be helpful.

Take care everyone. God bless.

We entertained Pete and Dawn this morning for coffee and cake – and it was very enjoyable too. As always, laughing at our misfortunes and putting the world to rights. Their company always lifts our spirits and we were pleased to have seen them. ‘Same time next week?’ Dawn asked. We’d love to, but we’re hoping to go away for a day or two to see Sue and Chris. It’s all arranged – just hope nothing prevents us going. As they say, it’ll be third time lucky, if we make it!!

Before Pete and Dawn arrived, we had got up betimes because the Kenilworth Newbies were planning a little trip down to London on the train, and Mr Chester the Dog would be spending a night or two at ours.

I nipped up to the shops to buy one two bits and pieces and did a spot of tidying up before they came and then, at nine o’clock, as promised, they tumbled in, all excited for their adventure. It was lovely for fifteen minutes or so before they tumbled out again and set off to walk down to the train station. Ooh, they were thrilled to be going on a train!!

The trip to London meant that they could meet up with Christiana and her two, so not long after this photo was shared, we knew she was also on her way….

Not only have we been monitoring one Kenilworth Family today, but we have been watching the adventures of the Kenilworth Originals over the last couple of weeks, too. They have been having a fabulous time in Florida (not jealous at all) and seem to have done absolutely everything!! And, by the looks of it here, they look very happy, relaxed and tanned!

Back to reality in Balsall Common, we had a spot of lunch and then sat and rested on the sofas after Pete and Dawn left at lunchtime. A bit of daytime TV and a snooze was just what the doctor ordered.

John was a bit restless, thinking he should be doing something, but I reassured him that we’d had a busy week so far and we’re planning a walk at Draycote Park tomorrow, so today should be a rest day. He wasn’t convinced……… but he slept alongside me and Chester anyway! Hehe. I am not sure who snored the loudest – me, him or Chester!!

The afternoon TV morphed into the evening TV and then, all of a sudden, it was time to offer Chester his nighttime walk. We did a ‘once round the block‘ circuit, then a ‘once round the garden‘ circuit, before we all turned in for the night. The rain had stopped, so that worked out well, although the grass was wet, so he was a bit bedraggled when he came in…..

And so the day is done.

Take care everyone. God bless.