Just in Quick

Just a quick post to say that we are back from our, FanTasTic holiday to Egypt. We cruised, went looking at loads of tombs, lazed about and then flew to Cairo to see the Pyramids, Sphinx and the King Tut exhibition. It was really enjoyable and so much fun. One day I found myself listening to 'The English Patient' soundtrack on my iPod, as we were cruising down the Nile! Best holiday for a long time. And, good for me and Mr T to have some time together. We needed to have time to just be us, without work, 'phones etc.

And, I came back to have a blood pressure test, which was worryingly high before the hols, but had to be taken twice just to check, as it was so low as to be normal! Though, since then I have developed the coldy-fluey virus, than includes diarrhoea, yuk, that Mr T caught off someone on the 'plane. Ah well.

ps. piccies and more, soon, when I am feeling better.

Running away ... to holiday!

Mum is much better, though still tired. Unfortunately, she has thrown a wobbly once again and threw out my brother, who was visiting for the weekend. Readers of this blog may remember that my mum has mental health issues. These 'wobblies' are ongoing, and extremely upsetting for all of us. But, she continues as if nothing has happened, leaving tears and heartache in her wake. However, we have survived thus far.

On a brighter note, my son and his family visited while I was 'down South.' His partner is about 18 weeks now, and is literally blooming with this pregnancy! As well, she is eating properly and her eczema is vastly improved, and her eyes are all shiney and bright. She was more chatty than usual, as she is a shy person. I was so pleased for the opportunity to see them.

I am now off on my jollies for a few weeks. This lucky girl is going to St Andrews for a few days with the lovely daughter, and her two lovely daughters, yippee. I am soo looking forward to this - a quiet country cottage, all equipped with a log fire etc, near to the water and the city, where we can walk as well as going out to see 'stuff.' Yesterday, I picked up a cross stitch rug to make, with snakes and ladders on it - which we can share. I do have a days work to go into while away, but that will be good for them to just mooch about together, as well. When she gets back home, she will be, hopefully, arriving to a whole new bathroom, which her husband and Mr T are fitting in, while we are away.

And, for me, there's more! Two days after my return, I am jetting off to Egypt for two weeks! (Sorry about so many !!!'s) We are cruising along the Nile for a week, then spending a few days in Luxor, AND flying to Cairo to see the Pyramids as well. I have long wanted to see the pyramids, and now I shall!

I will return, refreshed and rejuventated. Promise.

for now, Karen.

More News

Well, I am travelling South this weekend. My mum had a heart attack on Monday, and a stent inserted today. She suddenly sounds old, and it's a bit scary, even though she's only 71 years old. But, she's always been a healthy person, with get up and go, and she's often gone - on walking holidays, gardening holidays, off to Italy or Spain. I just heard my brother relating to an aunt, that he'd queried a dent in the ceiling above mum's stairs. 'Oh, that,' she says 'that's when I was moving a wardrobe up to my bedroom.'

I don't think she'll be doing that for a while.

It all happens here, you know!

Well, the new job is fab so far. I have three students who are all very different people, with differennt experiences and approaches to their chosen career. They are challenging me to climb out of my comfort zone, and further develop my own levels of understanding and learning. As a practical, solution focussed practitioner, I am able to offer them something away from the academic loftiness they have, thus far, had from their course. So, we are all getting something from this experience and, I'm just lovin' it!

I have often been quite dismissive of the social networking sites such as facebook, but just lately we have had reason to be thankful to them for providing information that we might not have had otherwise. Our friend, who was seriously ill following a motorbike accident is, we find, alive and well, thank goodness. A close call, that one.

Another bonus is that we had contact from a long-lost relative, Mr T's stepmother's grand-daughter. We lost contact with 'mum' many years ago after some disclosures were made, and believed, against the father. The stepmother was loyal to her husband, but we had to protect our young families and this contact was lost, and continued when the father died. Well, the stepmother's grand-daughter contacted our son, wanting contact details of her granny. Discussions and emails ensued, literally around the world, and she has been found. Her son has also found us, who lives close by, and is due to visit us this weekend!

Doncha just luurve this technology stuff?!

New Job

I recently applied for a full time job. Silly of me, I know. But, I had it in my head that maybe, perhaps, at a push I should go back to the work I was trained for, and qualified in, and have a lot of experience in. So, I duly applied for a job, within the bounds of a hospital (social work) but, was a tad worried that I might have to do a lot of walking about the place. Now, obv. this should not be a problem for a fairly fit, 50 something person, but you know I kinda have a disability and can't actually walk that far. Anyway, I was chatting with a couple of bods who I work with on a fostering panel, and one of them happened to mention that the uni were looking for practice teachers, and would I be interested? I nearly bit off her hand! Yay, my dream job, or what?!

I went along and had a couple of sessions around what the course entails, and what is expected of me, and it was like 'coming home' to something I just 'know.' And, the chance to talk 'grown up' talk of social work speak, ideas, practices, values etc that I have been missing in my work. Let's face it cooking up a storm, scrubbing pots and pans, as well as mopping floors and putting my hand down toilets (not all at the same time, you understand?) and getting a tin of biscuits for my Xmas box, just doesn't really cut it. Well, it wouldn't would it? But, that is not to say that I don't have 'grown up' conversations with my pals, I do, we do, but it will be great to do it in work-time time as well.

At the end of the student's 'Placement Learning Opportunity' I have to make my assessment of whether they will pass of fail. A heck of a load of responsibilty, but I really feel up to this challenge. The course director is impressed with my enthusiasm, and I must admit, I am too. Don't get me wrong, I am in the lucky position of doing work that I do enjoy, or I shall give it up. I have various jobs I do around the place, and work with some really lovely people. Those around me that are not lovely, I don't have to work with so I just ignore them.

It is a bit nerve-wracking as well, though - and so much reading! And these poor students! I am due to meet my first ones over the next few days, so let the challenge begin!

Reading: 'The Year of the Flood' - Margaret Attwood
Seen: 'Julia and Julie' - Meryll Streep is amazing in this, the best thing I've seen her in for ages
Thought for the day: 'What other people say about you behind your back, is none of your business!' I love it, and it is so true.
Studying: Social work, practice placement stuff and a map of the city, so I can find them there students!
Eating: the right things, after the wrong things brought back the IBS
Worrying about: Our friend, Paul, after his serious motorbike accident yesterday, thankfully he's made it through last night; and his wife, Gene. Our love, thoughts and hugs are with them. When Paul is recovered, Mr T will give him hell about avoiding foxes on the road, and sign him up to the anti-foxhunting league!

'Night, 'night. xx

O dear, another oops.

I don't know why it takes me so long to be posting on here lately, but I do keep up with those I follow. To catch up I am still knitting up a storm - the latest things have been crocheted brooches, which sell quite well thru' word of mouth - some for me and some for the charity knitting group, which is good. Here is a piccie of one I made for a birthday pressie, for someone whose party we are going to tonight. (As she is a very competitive person, the request was for a handmade present, costing no more than £5, and she will choose her favourite. I am not sure what happens to the ones that don't win, and I don't know her that well to know if she'll even like a crocheted brooch, but I like it, so I've enjoyed making it.) The picture is quite dark as it's now evening, and if I put on the flash the mirrored button shone out where nothing else did! Please excuse my crap photo taking.

I am currently making cream coloured jackets for the expected grandchild, who is due in March, but we don't know whether it is a girl or a boy until the next scan. No, I wouldn't usually want to know beforehand, but his/her parents to be are really keen to start living the dream and having a name for their child will, it appears, just add to their joy. For this child's big sister I am knitting a hooded jumper (sweater) with a pouch pocket on the front. She had told me she wanted purple then, after me buying the yarn, decided she wanted stripes. So, I bought a ball of lilac and pink and will mix and match these in.

However, I have been so blimmin' busy with work lately that only one lot of sewing has been done. Now, how to put this delicately. Nah, bugger it. Some time ago, when Mr T and I were off for a weekend away, I treated myself to some new underwear, including some fancy knickers. Nothing racy from that shop you understand, but fripperies and frillies. Well, since then I've hardly worn them as I lost a bit of weight, which just made them uncomfortable to wear. So. As my sewing machine is next to my bedroom I have been able to pop in there and alter them! I don't own an overlocking machine, but do have zig-zag on my sewing machine, so I sew about a half inch (1.5 cm) down each side and the same along the back of the gusset - this being sewn on the right side to stop any unwanted rubbing.

The only problem so far was the day I heard someone come in the front door, who turned out to be my daughter, phew! I was dreading my son-in-law catching me naked at the sewing machine. The poor boy would have fainted, I'm sure!

Oops!

Yep, it is 'Oops!' I have been reading and generally keeping up with everybody, but these days, barely keeping up with myself! Just been very busy with work and whatnot As well as looking after my gorgeous girlies at times, while their mummy goes off to work. Which has, as you might guess, been lovely but wearing as well.

Well, some news has rocked our socks off here as well - that is our son and his partner are to have a new baby in March of next year! How cool is that? All the more significant as they were told some years ago, that it was unlikely that they could have a child of their own, due to a couple of medical issues. (You'll understand I cannot post about such personal stuff that isn't mine to tell.) Our boy has been a wonderful father to his step-daughter, and is like a dog with two tails that they are adding to their family, as we are!

They are up visiting for this week, and the night before they arrived I was just too excited to sleep, until about 5 am. What a plonker I am. Makes one wonder how I am fit enought to be a granny again in the new year. Can't wait!