Same as before but from the other side of the table.

Steven's socks drying.
He took them off because they were so wet.

Now much as I have praised the November sun, it simply does not have the bake factor of a summer sun, and they remained wet.
Personally I would have worn them, knowing my feet would get used to it. But he earns enough money to wear shoes without holes, so the phenomenon is unfamiliar to him. After lunch we went straight to one of the drying booths (£3!) and I held one of his socks up to an air vent, and the other to a heat lamp. For the curious, the heat lamp worked better.

Wonderful photos. Girl, I love the hair & you have been losing weight, too. Looking quite the hottie

Yeah, Sundae, you look fucking great. Love that hair colour. And I really like those jeans too.

Aww, thanks chaps :)

So.

This is a bit like the stories you wrote when you were ten.
Detail, detail, detail then you ran out of time and finished it off in one sentence (but never coming out of a shower it was all a dream because that was lame even then)

We redid all of the major rides. Or at least I did.
Ste went on most of them again, once he had his stomach back under control.
I have no photos of the minor ones... just because they fit into the landscape and I didn't think this through. Would love to go back and take more pics and so write less words, but I'm getting this out of my system enough I reckon.

Bar/ restaurant mid-afternoon. Ste had gone to the loo. He was gone ages, so probably a poo. What? I've had to hang around the Gents in many insalubrious places because of this. So I sat and checked my photos and gloated over my official ones. Trust me. You would not get a seat in this place on a hot day in August. They sell beer. The bar alone would be five deep.

Bye-bye park.
Twilight in Thorpe Park.

Cool trip !!!

You closed the place!

My Christmas card from the kittens.
Wow - they're looking big to me now. Can't wait to shed this cold and see them.

I have heard that Abs is actively looking for a place every fortnight on the system I use. She will only be allocated a two-bedroom place though, so we're not in competition. Also she is in a much higher Band than me - technically where she lives now is overcrowded, whereas I glory in being in a three-bedroom house with only three people in it. They don't count the dervish that is Diz - strangely.

Just an update on Christmas as I wasn't really in the mood to write about it over the festive season. It wasn't bad, I just didn't feel great for most of it, and it was a quiet affair.

Dad bought Mum a present and card, hid them and couldn't remember where.
I think the Gran Marnier turned up before New Year and the card yesterday or the day before. Lots of mentions about it of course. Poor Mum, what with that and me breaking her camera she was feeling a little un-jolly. Still, she is pleased to have her daughter back apparently, so I must be doing something right. Or not doing wrong :drunk:

My parents and sister bought me clothes two sizes too large. I mean I get that Laura never sees me, but I live with Mum. She only bought them at the beginning of the month. Still, not to be ungrateful, she took them back and we got ones in the right size. She's been shocked at the baggy falling-apart knickers I've been wearing so it was a kind gesture.

Took the t-shirt from my sister back to Tesco, got a fab pair of wellies decorated in a peacock style. I've written here somewhere that I wanted some flash wellies but couldn't afford them - now I have them all ready for the snow (if I buy them, will it come?)

Photos - me with a Mona Lisa smile. Dad was taking a photo of the laid table but I had a suspicion I would end up in the frame.

Our table card

They provided crackers, party poppers and hooters on the tables. Every now and then a table would set up a volley of hoots.
Dad loved it. When our neighbours turned up Dad went over to their table to blow his horn at them.
We even brought them home and for a few days he would blast one out from the kitchen just for fun.

I left early as they decided to have liqueurs/ liqueur coffee and anyway I was feeling bloated. So I walked round the windy park before heading home. Mum says as he left the pub he tooted his hooter all the way out of the door, which garnered a response from the noisiest tables. Perhaps underneath the shyness I am my father's daughter after all. Or maybe it was the whisky ;)

The second pic is the table as they left.
Not much to see as the staff were very good at removing empty plates.

Blurry photo of Mum and Dad - I caught the napkin with the auto-focus.
I have to get used to this camera, it's the one Dad's given Mum to replace my old one.
Once I've learned it I have to write her a crib sheet!

Excellent!

I want to see a picture of you splashing your way through a puddle in your peacock wellies.

That's a lovely photo of you with the Mona Lisa smile. You look so classy.

Lovely update! Enjoy the wellies!


Sent by thought transference

Sundae, I know you've been losing weight but damn you look svelte in that Mona Lisa picture. Stunning.

You look great in the Mona Lisa pic Sundae. Very Audrey Hepburn.

BTW, are those your hooters in front of you?;)

Seriously, I need an English to English translation.

"flash wellies" - Would wellies be Wellington boots?

grannies and faffers - faffers?

BTW, $4.50 for a drying booth? Is this essentially a hot air machine?

Mum came home from seeing Abs and the boys today and confidently informed me that they are not identical twins. "They" said they were during pregnancy, but they aren't. They look completely different.

I tactfully mentioned the whole issue of a single egg splitting as opposed to two eggs being fertilised. And the boys shared the same placenta. She wasn't really interested though.

They're six months this week, but still behind developmentally (they can't sit unaided for example) but the doctor is happy with them - it's expected with both twins and preemies.

Anyway, Mum forwarded me this photo from Abigail. Oh I see what she means now. Yes, completely different :right: :)

How does Abigail tell them apart?!

They look pretty much the same to me. lol

The one on the left might have a slightly broader skull maybe? That could just be the angle of the photo though.

I've heard of people with identical twins who put nail polish on one toe of each twin but a different colour. It's a pretty popular way to do it over here, but it's generally a warmer climate. Not much use if you have to cover the baby from head to toe to keep it warm. lol

The one on the right has a freckle on his left cheek, unless that's an artifact of the camera...

Apparently Jack is thinner and more lively, and Liam is chubbier and lazier, but makes more noise.

I hope to see them next Friday, so I'll be able to judge for myself.
Conor's 21 on Tuesday so Abs is at his place until at least Wednesday. Fingers crossed she won't be company-ed out.

Stevo-rama (my bro) did this climb.
If you have a good memory for faces you can spot him from 0.50-0.55 ish.
I grew up with the lad and still had to keep rewinding it.

I spoke to him on the phone the day after he did it - he was within his own set parameters. I think he hoped to beat them in all honesty, but he's proud like that. I just bigged him up because he made a good time and regardless he made plenty of money for Shelter. And because I love him.

I saw him! In the background.

The boy is internationally recognised!
Yay! Ta, Glatt.

I didn't ask anyone here for money, Ste has his own connections.
And he raised more alone than Mum & I did together when we did our Midnight Walk.
So I'm proud to show him off without an ulterior motive.

The boys are still kittens. But it won't be long before they're up and into everything.

Abs is a very happy young Mummy.
Well of course she has her own place, can still go back to school, has a loving second family (Connor's I mean) and all the support she needs. Not all available to teen Mums.

Mum & I talked about it the other day. About how she (Mum) and Laura thought the world was ending when they found out, but now it's just part of life. I'm lucky that I wasn't emotionally invested enough to feel that. I knew it would all come right in the end. People have babies. They sometimes go to prison. They have addictions. If you keep breathing you'll get through it. Love what you have as long as you have it.

ETA she is NOT drunk. She leaves that to her Auntie.
I picked the best photo of the boys, rather than her.
She has the downward sloping eyes that are common in my family and often comes out like that when a flash is used.

The boys are so cute! Glad they're all getting on well.

Maybe it's just the angle, but the boys are starting to look very different from one another. And yet who could decide which one is cuter? Not me, that's for sure.

Abby looks completely stuffed in that pic. lol Poor thing. I guess she probably is!

I still think the boys look exactly the same.
But as I have said - ad nauseum - I have terrible trouble with faces.
I actually thought I saw my nephew walking down the street the other day.
I had my glasses on, so I had 20/20.
And it wasn't an odd place to see him after all (near my house, not on Arran or something.)

No, not him.
But I was only really convinced when I got home and asked, "Has Samuel been round?"
I'd kinda worked out that it wasn't him, because he wouldn't have blanked me. But I was still in puzzled mode :headshake

Ali, Abs does look like that in photos.
She's a pretty young thing, but photos often turn out with her sleepy, drunk or dopey, when she is not in any of those states. Pesonally I think she might need an eye test, because she does squint when she's trying to look at anything across the room. Maybe I'll mention it to Mum. I'm in such bad odour in the family I can't say anything myself.

The next photo I post of her will be of a happy healthy 18 year old with open eyes. Because she is most of the time :)

Foodities!

Pub food this time, not gourmet, although I hope it reflects how far England has advanced since a lukewarm meat pie and wooden chips were all that were on offer.

I offered my parents Easter Lunch, to thank them for taking care of the Diz-cat while I was on Arran.
I also had a voucher (which they knew about, so it doesn't count as sneaky.)

Mum declined, but suggested we could go down the pub for snacks and maybe a drink.
She meant definitely a drink, but drinking with the 'rents was never a problem with me.
Drinking high-alcohol rotgut in my room is the problem.

So we went there Saturday eve, after watching the boat-race, and a good time was had by all.

'Rents had an Ultimate Sharer For Two
Sounds like a tableful of food, but as you can see it is really intended as a starter, especially between three adults of healthy appetites.

I had the Spicy Snack Selection. Much cheaper and qualified me for a free drink.
Which Mum had, actually.
Which Mum had most of, actually ;)

Limey and Dani, I promise I am still eating.
Just not all that much deep-fried food at once.

I did have a beer, but it was going down with hooks on.
Mum & Dad had finished theirs and were ready to go.
I gave Mum my purse.
Mum said, "I don't need to take this, you're an adult."
No, I did need her to take it, because after she left I would have been happy to start on spirits and drink up all of Diz's food money for the month.

Anyway.

Standard pic of us in the pub.
They do go other places too. Just more often without me.

And me, me, me, because I liked my lipgloss.

Unsure where else to put this. Decided to give you an update without starting a new thread.

Currently abstinent.
Doing well on the count of days, less well on physical symptoms and cravings.
Can't sleep. I mean I'm getting approx 3 hours a night. Get night terrors when I do drift off.
My eyes are shot. Pissholes in the snow.
I always seem to fare worst when I give up completely.
Gastectomy on 22nd. Mum is coming with me. She has to, or they won't release me but she offered first and I appreciate that.

Massive appetite, especially for sweet things. Am trying to counter it with apples and mandarins. The only good thing that's come out of this is weight loss and I never want to go back to the weight I was. But I am exercising every day and no calories from drink after all.

Tried on a pair of Tesco size 16 (UK) jeans today and they fitted! Couldn't justify the cost though, even though they were only £10. My size 18 are still decent and I have other clothes to wear.

Went to a Friends' Meeting on Sunday. I'll be back next Sunday. Something about the Quakers speaks even to this hardened atheist. Peace, stillness and the only requirement is to listen and wait for the small, still voice and appreciate you are part of collective worship. It might not work out, but it's trying something different. In public. Way will open.

Mum and I are going to a see if we can join an amateur chorus for a performance of HMS Pinafore tomorrow night. No audition, just a commitment to rehearse and perform. I'll feed back - if we hate it we won't go again, but we both love singing and enjoy Gilbert & Sullivan. The evenings are getting lighter too, which makes going out much easier.

Had some horrible family news. Can't go into it , but it involves rellies I've barely written about here who do not live in Aylesbury. And alcohol. Made me feel physically sick. I keep dreaming about them if and when I do sleep. Carrying it round with me the whole time.

But apart from that and knowing I am going to be released from my contract at work and being scared about finances... I am in a better position than I was about 3 weeks ago.

I've stopped drinking.
That helps.

Good job Sundae!
I know it's hard. Keep it up. :)

Well done hon. You're doing great.

You're fighting the good fight, Sundae. Keep sluggin'.

You just keep on keeping on Sundae. Sometimes things just seem so hard, but little bit by little bit will get you there...where ever there is. I love you mate. You can do it. xxx

Sundae! Well done you!! I've been thinking and thinking of you x. Keep it up, as Ali says. You can do this - I am sure you can.

Yes you can.:thumb:

Did I miss a previous mention of this? It sounds pretty significant. Is it for weight-loss purposes like a lap-band procedure, or to treat some kind of malady?

Keep fighting, Sundae!

:facepalm: No, it's me being an idiot and typing the wrong thing :eek:
I'm having a gastroscopy. Utterly different. I'm sure you have experience of these.

I'm mildly chuffed because I have to be off my GORD (GERD) medicine for two weeks prior to the investigation. It's been three days so far and I haven't had any heartburn. I'm putting that down to healthy eating, weight loss and abstinence. I have Rennies on stand-by just in case.

Haven't heard yet about my trans-jugular biopsy. Just the name terrifies me, but it's far less invasive than the gastroscopy.

Gastroscopy. Just practicing it so I don't tell anyone else I am having part of my stomach removed...

Thanks everyone.
If the Quaker meeting was a still green pool for reflection, this place is a waterfall that drowns out my sorrows and forces me to become part of life again.
Because I think I have decided to live after all.

Oh good. I do so want you to live, dear Sundae!

Ha! Having one this morning, I think. They may only be going up the other end, though, I'm not certain.

Glad to hear it's not what I thought it was.

Got a letter today about my biopsy.
It can only be done at Addenbrookes. 48 miles away. Nothing if you have a car of course.

So that's a bus to Milton Keynes and another to Cambridge from there.

It's because I went to Luton & Dunstable Hospital for my initial appointment.
But if I'd waited for Stoke Mandeville (my local hospital, on the local bus route) I still wouldn't have had the first appointment. I think they offered 5th May as the first available date.

Lord alone knows where I'll find the money.
Mum wants to come with me, which I appreciate. But she's an OAP and has a bus pass. It's going to cost me (estimate) about £20 for the return trip.

Is there a Red Cross patient transport service in your area? I think a post-procedure trip home involving two buses in the care of a pensioner should qualify you for a ride home with them.

Thanks Limes, I've filled it out. Worth a try.

Had my Gastroscopy today.

All went well. The timing of buses was lousy - had to catch one that arrived approx 1 hour before my appointment, because the next one was bang on apointment time.
Not worth the stress of getting caught behind a tractor or needing to run to the department (which I hadn't been to before.)

The wait passed easily though - attending Quaker metings is certainly helping me work on my need for constant cerebral stimulation. Good job too, my appointment was 14.50 and I wasn't called in until nearly half an hour later, aside from a preliminary blood check and talk-through by a nurse.

I asked for the painkiller AND sedation as my tough-as-nails-I've-had-three-children-naturally Mum said her first endoscopy was a horror and she couldn't believe she decided to tough it out. It wasn't painful, just unnatural and highly unpleasant. She's since had one with sedation and said it was no worries.

So I listened and took on board.

Now some people have sedation and are still aware of what's going on. They get to see their own gastroscopy/ endoscopy. Not me. I turned on my left side as advised, after the needle was inserted. I got a mouthpiece through which the tiny tube would be inserted and was told to bite down. The nurse stuck a tube up my nose - gently.

And then Diz was jumping all over the bed and waking me up.
But it was in fact just a nurse talking to me calmly.

Up I got, off for a cup of tea and a biscuit (gingernut if you must know.)
I was ravenous. Got my results and refused to wait at the bus stop over the road, but wanted to walk along and check out the convenience shops in the direction of travel. Until we got to a big Tesco - sent Mum ahead to the bus stop and bought some jerky and some fizzy sweets.

And yes, I did thank her very much for being willing to come with me and look after me, especially when there was nothing she could do except be with me.
It was explained that one of the reasons for needing an escort is that the sedation drug they use is similar in effect to a date rape drug, making you very susceptible to suggestions. Seemed to make me quite headstrong. Or maybe just more selfish. Anyway, I fell asleep 3x on the bus on the way home, so I guess it is still in my system. Up to 24 hours they say.

For the medically minded amongst you.
My results.

The next hurdle is the trans-jugular biopsy.
It's a 2.5 hour journey one-way.
Having cheerfully told Limey that it must be an in and out apointment as no other info was included in my appointment letter, I have since looked it up on the internet.

No.

This is much more serious.
We travel from Aylesbury to Milton Keynes to start with. approx an hour but may be 1.5 as we've heard rumours the direct bus is not longer running (local cuts.)
The MK to Cambridge - 1.5 hours.

I am then facing a procedure of an hour - one I have to lie still for completely and this time I will be conscious.
And after that - none of this mentioned on the little confirmation I received - I have to be monitored by a nurse for 3-4 hours afterwards.

Bearing in mind this will take me to 17.05 before I am even ready to leave hospital (and that's assuming everying is running on time and to plan), by the time we catch the coach back to MK, it's likely the Aylesbury buses will have stopped running by then anyway.

We're in a real pickle over this.
We've run through friends and rellies who might take us. Or just me, and drawn a blank.
Am going to call Addenbrookes tomorrow and see if they would be willing to put me up for the night. Anyone with experience of the NHS will be laughing like a drain right now. In fact I heard two nurses scoffing today about someone making a similiar enquiry at Luton & Dunstable (where I was.) "Yeah, don't worry love, we're just a hotel here!" they laughed after the phone was put down.

But what can I do?
Even if I chanced lying and leaving alone, I'd hardly be in a condition to spend the night in a bus station in MK alone.

Wonder if it's too late to check out sofa surfing in Cambridge?

So NHS didn't stick it up your ass this time.;)

Check your email, Sundae, dear. Love from Limey & Dana xxx

Feel like I want to cry.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Mum can go into Cambridge for the afternoon, which makes it less a bother for her.
And any delays or problems are no longer a reason for gut-wrenching panic.

So, so kind.
I never even thought of something like this.

For everyone else apart from Limey and Dana; the girls have booked Mum and I into a B&B close to the hospital on the night of my procedure.
We don't have to stress about it running late (don't they always?) or complications, or Mum having to sit alone in a waiting room for 5 hours.

The journey is still a pig, but Mum and I are well used to public transport - she used to go to Spain on holiday by coach every year (23 hours) and you know I've put myself about a bit on trains, coaches and ferries.
This time we can arrive, check in (no need for Mum to even come to the hospital as long as they have her mobile) and know that whatever time I am released I can creep back and sleep.

An overnight stay certainly wasn't in my mind because it wasn't in my budget.
And of all the things I tax my parents with, I never ask them for money now.
Not even on loan.
In fact I am more likely to ask them to hold onto money for me to keep it safe (like for my haircut last week and my bus fare yesterday.)
I'm not drinking it up any more, but I'm still not great with money.

Can you put a price on friendship and peace of mind?
I doubt it.
But I have it.

HOW EXCELLENT! Well done you northern gals!

:blush:

Yay!

thanks to you (pl) for helping my friend Sundae. truly, thank you.

:)


Would this be a good time to pull out the 'with friends like these who needs an enema' line?

As in "This town needs an enema"?