Monday Monday

♬ ♬ ♬ ♬ Monday, Monday ♬ ♬ ♬ ♬

♬ ♬ ♬ ♬ So Good To Me ♬ ♬ ♬ ♬

♬ ♬ ♬ ♬ Monday morning, it was all I hoped it would be ♬ ♬ ♬ ♬

And it certainly was It was a decent nights sleep and I woke with a spring in my step "I wish" more like a creak in the Joints, anyway I was feeling good and above all the sun was shining and the sky was blue as you can see from the following Photograph taken at 7.00 am. so you can see I was up early " Why you all ask "

Portsmouth at 7.00 am this morning

It has got to go.

 The reason I am up so early is that to day is the start of a busy week getting ready for the move from my 3 bedroom house to a 1 bedroom flat, the trouble is with Down sizing is the amount of things that you need to get rid of after 23 years in the same house. the memories I can take with me, a lot of the accumulated items I cannot. so it is Clear out week this week and moving week next week. 

Pauline the Terror

Anyway I get up at 6.30 as I need to get myself sorted out early this morning, I have cancelled the carer today as I do not know what time they would have turned up as it is Jo,s Day off today and more importantly Gordon is going to bring Pauline round at 8.00 am on his way to work as she is going to start the sorting out of all my accumulated items today so that should prove interesting, we need to sort out what is being kept, what is Going to the Recycling Centre, what is going to the dump and what is going to the charities. 

The green Bin

So that is how the morning is going to be spent, so I get some breakfast before Pauline arrives and get dressed and then I am on to the laptop to  check out facebook and my emails. I get a text from BskyB to say that it is all set to change everything over to the new property on the 18th of August and that I will have a new Telephone number otherwise everything else is the same. Pauline arrives with misty at 8.10 so I make a coffee and we have that and then Pauline disappears  upstairs to start sorting out the bits and pieces and brings bits down for me to check and after a while brings down a lot of empty boxes and paper to go in the green recycling bin so at last something I can do to help.

There is also a lot of items upstairs that I need to look at so I slowly manage to get upstairs with difficulty and sit up there and sort out a lot of boxed games that will be going to a Charity sale. The time is pushing on and in one of the cupboards we come across a couple of pictures that Gervase drew when he was about 4 years old, ( he is now 31) My late wife chris had them framed, so they will come with me and take pride of place in my new home. so for your artistic appreciations here is Gervase,s artwork on public display for the first time.

The P&O Ferry from Dover to Calais. by Gervase Smith 1985/6

J.C.B. Digger by Gervase Smith 1985/6

At 11.00 we stop for a coffee and then I stay down stairs while Pauline goes back up and carry,s on sorting out the items, she is making good progress and then gervase arrives and he goes up and helps Pauline for an hour or so, he got back from Amsterdam last night and has today off work, so he goes through all the books and magazines he had stored here and sorts out the few he wants the rest will go to the recycling bank and the books to a charity shop for either the Rowans Hospice or the Heart foundation. and all the other good items like the games etc will go to the friends of ours who organize fundraising for the "Chernobyl Children,s Lifeline"

Bin Bags of rubbish

Gervase leaves after an hour or so after getting a lot sorted and I get a coffee made for pauline and we have some lunch and then Gordon Arrives about 1.30.  so Pauline goes upstairs to just finish off and then we walk round to Tesco Express with Misty and get a few bits of Shopping  and then back home, we put 3 black bags of rubbish out in the forecourt ready for the bin men to collect on Thursday, there will probably be more there by then and then Gordon takes Pauline and Mist off home. A good days work on Pauline,s Part, she really is a true friend.

Well that is about it for today I am now Whacked and have more aching Joints than a Geriatric Skeleton so I am going for a lie down and a nap before starting dinner later on.  I have not watched any TV today so do not have any idea what has happened in the Olympics today so I will have to catch up with that later on this evening, so until tomorrow when we go out food shopping I will say tatty bye and leave you with todays "Day in History"from 1926.

A Sunny(ish) Sunday.

Where is Facebook.

Well here we are on the first Sunday in August and things are starting to take shape with the move, In a fortnights time I will be in my new home and it will be so much easier living on one level.  I had a phone call from the people at BskyB yesterday and they are disconnecting my Phone, Broadband and TV here on Friday 17th of August and reconnecting the TV on Saturday the 18th at my new Flat and activating the Phone and broadband on Monday the 20th of August so I will be off line on the 17th, 18th and 19th of August, 3 days without facebook, will I ever survive LOL.

Womens Marathon

Well Team GB did very well in the Olympics Yesterday 6 Gold medals in a day and it is possible we may pick up a couple today, I didn't watch much yesterday as Pauline and gordon were here and I will not be watching to much today, although at the moment I am watching the Women,s Marathon and it is raining hard in london today while I am sat here looking out the window at blue skies and sunshine, don't you just love the british weather.

I caught up on Chris Burrows blog this morning. It is a very amusing account of her daily trials and Tribulations and I would recommend it as a very interesting read. however it seems that chris has a case of Pneumonia at the moment, although it has not dented her sense of humour anyway I hope she gets well soon.

The Marathon is going along well in London and it is interesting to sit here and watch it and see all the different sights of London and I am pleased to say that the weather is improving in London as it has stopped raining and the sun is coming out.

Homeward Bound

It is now 12.20 here and it looks like it is going to be a pleasant afternoon here, My son gervase has just sent a text to say that he and Leanne have checked out of the Hotel in Amsterdam and are enjoying their last few hours in Amsterdam before catching the flight back home this evening so I am glad they have had a nice few days away and Gervase does not go back to work until Tuesday so he has tomorrow off as well, and Leanne is on Half Term Holiday until the schools go back in September after the summer holidays.

so here we are then at 1.53 pm. The weather is getting better and better as the day goeson and although there is a lot of white fluffy cloud around there is also a lot of blue sky and sunshine as you can see from the Photograph taken from the live webcam at Portsmouth Harbour today.

Portsmouth Harbour today

I have had some lunch and enjoyed that and I am now thinking of getting the bookcase containing all my Family history research into boxes ready for when I move, most  of my research is done on line these days and I have an awful lot of resources in digital format and saved on CD,s and Memory sticks but I still have a book case with 4 shelves of paperwork and paper research, Photo,s Certificates etc which need to be archived. also I have printed copies of the Seven books I have written.

Before I start to sort out the family history material to archive, I will take this opportunity to let you know that I have finalised the design for the Myositis website I am going to set up once I have moved and also I have done the storyboard for the first "Myositis Awareness" Animation, so once I have moved and assembled the equipment I will be ready to start on this new project and I can say that I am looking forward to it.

Website header Graphic

That was a good hours work getting some of that sorted out, there is to much to do it all in one go so I can do a bit each day for the next 3 days. anyway I am also working on some more Graphic designs for the days of the week promoting Autoimmune awareness and Myositis Awareness and here is an example of one of a set of seven based on the Nursery Rhyme " Mondays child"

I have also produced another illustration with a graffiti theme for "Myositis Awareness and am also working on another couple of Poems.

Latest graphic design project

The Idea is that I will collate all my designs that I have produced over the year and make them into a e-book that will accompany the "What is Myositis" interactive slide show. which will be available FOC later in the year.

"Interactive Awareness video cover"

So as you can see it is all systems go here at the moment, at least It will give me something to do while I am at home all day and hopefully will help to raise awareness of Myositis as well as Autoimmune diseases.

Well that I think is about it for today, as you can see it is going to be a busy two weeks in front of me getting everything organised to help the move go smoothly and an exciting time ahead working on the new projects, It is amazing how far I have come in the last 14 months and although there are many things that I still cannot do there are still many things that I can and will do and still goals to achieve, so I will say Bye Bye until tomorrow and leave you with Todays "Day in History" from the 5th August 1100.

A Satisfying Saturday.

And as the title says a Satisfying Saturday and that is exactly what today is. Here we are at 3.00 pm in the afternoon trying to get todays journal written and what am I watching on the TV. " The Penguins of Madagascar" on the Comedy Central channel.

Penguins of Madagascar

What an interesting life I lead, I really must get out and see the real world but then again I do enjoy these cartoons, one of the Positive aspects of this Myositis is that it has opened up a whole world of Television that I never knew existed

enough of this Rambling and lets get this journal underway. I had a really good nights sleep last night after Thursday night and am feeling less achey today, the carer has been and gone and for today I am giving the Olympics a miss as Pauline has phoned to say that she and gordon are going to come round today as she wants to do a bit more "Sorting" out upstairs for me as it is only a 8 more days before I get the key to the flat that I am moving to.
Anyway it is not long before Pauline and Gordon arrive they have come in Pauline,s car today and have arrived with Misty so that is good as I like Misty

They Have arrived and hello Misty

Anyway I make a coffee and Pauline goes upstairs to get some sorting out done while me and Gordon sit downstairs having a good old chat, at about 1.00 Pauline comes down and she has nearly finished the sorting out, She brings some bits and pieces down for me to go through and as it is lunch time I go and make Pauline and gordon a cheese omelette, and I have some crisp bread and cream cheese, and then I make another coffee and we sort out some ornaments in the lounge and get them boxed up ready and at 2.15 Gordon and pauline decide that it is time to give it a rest today and Pauline will be round on monday to do a bit more and on Thursday I have my sister coming down with her van to take a load to the local tip. so Pauline, Misty and Gordon make their way back home.

Thank you Pauline, Gordon and Misty

 Once Pauline and Gordon have left I get the washing up done and then Gervase Phones from Amsterdam to say that Leanne and He are having a great time and that they are at Amsterdam Zoo today, they had a nice evening out in Dam Square last night and I am glad that they are having a good time and enjoying their break away.

Amsterdam Zoo

So that is about it for the day, I have had a good chat with Gordon and Pauline and Pauline got some more sorting out done, I have seen Misty and have spoken to Gervase and had a good nights sleep and a restful day, it can't get much better so now I need to get this Journal finished and then have a cat nap for an hour before starting to get dinner ready, Cottage Pie tonight with Broccoli and Cauliflower so will look forward to that and then an evening of catching up on todays Olympic events. so I will say tatty bye until tomorrow and leave you with todays "Day in History" from 1902 

Its another Freaky Friday

Have trolley will travel

Oh well the only thing I did not need on a Friday when I take my Methotrexate is a sleepless Thursday night. I went to bed last night about 11.00 pm after a busy and tiring day and just could not get to sleeps, all aches and pains after deciding to leave the wheelchair at home and walk around morrisons with the trolley, I enjoyed it but I think an  Hour on my feet is just pushing it to far, my limit is about 20 min,s so must learn not to be so bl@@dy minded.

Must get to sleep

Anyway as I said it was about 11.00 when I went to bed and I just could not settle and go to sleep, at 1.45 I went onto facebook for 15 minutes and then eventually dropped off to sleep about 3.00 and woke again at 7.15 so had about 4 hours sleep so will have to go for a nap later on this afternoon if I feel to tired, still got all the aches and pains but hopefully that will diminish as the day goes on, at least it is easier than last night.

Jo and the New Carer look
tired today

So up at 7.40 and into the kitchen for a nice hot coffee and then into the lounge to wait for Jo the carer to arrive, While I am waiting for jo I go online and check out my emails and facebook and then as Jo seems to be running late get myself some Breakfast and text Pauline to let her know as it is now 9.30 and no sign of Jo, anyway about 9.50 Jo arrives with a  new carer that she is taking round with her, it seems that jo has got a lot of extra clients to see today due to short staff because of Holidays and Sickness. I am coming to the conclusion that the care company is not that well organised with their staff and do not let you know if the carer is running late. and when you think that Jo was almost 1.5 hours late getting to me I feel I should have been told incase I had doctor or Hospital appointment,s.

Yum, Yum, Sardines on Toast.

Once jo has me washed and Groomed ready for the day I go and watch a bit of TV while I take my Methotrexate and Prednisolone, The Prednisolone Tapering is going well but that may be one of the reasons my muscles are aching more, it will be interesting to see the results of my Blood tests that are due in 2 weeks time.  anyway once I have taken the medication I make a coffee and then relax in the recliner with the TV and the laptop until 1,00 pm when it is time to get a bit of lunch. So what to have for lunch is the next Question, I have a look to see what I have in the Kitchen, and decide on a tin of sardines and a couple of slices of toast so "Sardines on Toast it is then"

Well if that was Lunch then all I can say is "Roll on Dinner" honestly though that was very tasty and I enjoyed it but I had this desire for some chocolate afterwards so had a small bar of Cadburys Dairy Milk Chocolate and that I really did enjoy, well the aches and pains from yesterday are almost gone now, thanks to my day of rest, just have a little  stiffness in the leg muscles but that is normal for me at the moment, anyway it is now time to see what is going on with the Olympics as I missed most of the Olympics yesterday although we did do well in the canoeing, the cycling and the Judo.

Well we have another Gold Medal today in the Rowing, Anna Watkins and Katherine Grainger have won Gold in the Woman,s Double Sculls Final A.

Anna Watkins and Katherine Grainger

Alan Campbell also won Bronze in the Mens Single Sculls.

Alan Campbell

 And George Nash and Will Satch won Bronze in the Mens pairs

George Nash and Will Satch

We are also doing well in the Sailing at Weymouth and also today is the forst day of the Track and field events.

So that is about it for today, lack of sleep has caught up with me so time for a catnap for and hour or so so until tomorrow I will say Tatty Bye and leave you with Todays "Day in History" from 1978.

A Sorting Sort of day

Alien Life Form

Bang Bang, Bump Bump, What is that noise going on upstairs I think it might be a Grinch or could it be some kind of alien life form invading my house !!! NO !!! It is Pauline sorting out some of the items that I need to get rid of.  As you can probably tell Today has been a day of Shopping and Sorting. The day started well as I woke at 6.30 after a good nights sleep and suddenly realized it is only 2 weeks to go before I move into my new home. "Scary"  

Laptop

The day has started very damp but by the time Jo the carer gets here the sun has started to break through so I think we have a day of showers and sunshine ahead, It does not take jo long to get me washed and Groomed ready for the day ahead and then she is on her way and I text Pauline and then get some Wheatabix for breakfast and settle down with the laptop to check out emails and also facebook to see who is about.

Taxi Booked

Pauline phones back about 9.45 to say that Gordon has today off so If I want I can get a Taxi down to their house and then Gordon will take us to Morrisons to get the shopping and then we can have some lunch there and Gordon will bring us back to my house and Pauline will spend an hour or so sorting the middle bedroom out. well that seems like a plan to me so that is what I will do and I will book a Taxi for 11.00 to go down to Pauline and Gordon,s. Place.

So at 10.20 I get a shave and get dressed ready for the taxi to collect me at 11.00. the Taxi actually arrives at 10.55, it is one of our regular drivers so that is good as he knows where Pauline lives so Off we go, as Gordon is taking us to Morrisons and we are not going to town first I leave the wheelchair at home as I can walk around morrisons with a trolley and if I need to I can use one of their wheelchairs. 

The road where Pauline and Gordon Live.

 Once we are at Pauline I go in and get greeted by Misty, and we have a chat while gordon finishes off  getting ready and then we get into Gordon, s car and off we go to Morrisons to get the shopping.

Morrisons at Victory Retail Park, Portsmouth

Why are we Waiting

Once we are at Morrisons we get a trolley and off we go around the store to get the shopping, it is not to busy today so it is easy to walk around with the trolley and get the bits and pieces that I want and Pauline and gordon get their shopping as well. It takes about 45 minutes to get what we want and then before we pay we go into the Cafe and get some lunch, we all have a coffee, Pauline has a Sandwich, Gordon has 2 egg on toast and I have a Jacket Potato with Cheese and Bacon, and very nice it is to.

Once lunch is over we go and pay for the shopping and then we load it into the car and off we go home. Once indoors I get the shopping put away and make the coffee,s and Pauline goes to sort out the middle bedroom and Gordon and I have a chat. at 3.15 Pauline and gordon head home and I have another coffee and a lie dow until 4.00 pm and then get the laptop and get started on todays Journal. It has been a busy day today and I have not had time to watch any of the Olympic events today which is a shame as we have won a few Medals today so I will need to catch up with it all this evening.

Anyhow it has been a tiring day today so I am going to have another coffee and then get dinner started as it is now 5.15 and I have just had a phone call from Gervase to say he and leanne have arrived in Amsterdam where they have gone for a 4 day break so I hope they have a good time. over there, I love Amsterdam, it is one of my favourite City,s anyway I will say Cheerio until tomorrow and leave you with Todays day in History.

And August Begins

And the New month begins with Grey Clouds and a damp feel to the day. Very cloudy this morning as I make my way to the lounge with a nice hot coffee.

Portsmouth at 8.00 am this morning.

But we won't let the weather dampen our spirits as I had a decent nights sleep and am looking forward to a restful day after yesterdays shopping and looking forward to the Rowing finals in the olympics today.The new month starts today and remember it is only 145 days to go before christmas is here again so welcome to.................

Breakfast

 As I mentioned I had a good sleep last night and got up at 8.00 this morning, made the coffee and then into the lounge to get ready for when Jo my carer arrives, while I am waiting I check to see what time the rowing finals are on today and then check Facebook and my emails. Jo arrives at 9.10 this morning and she is running late, anyway she soon has me washed and groomed and is then on her way, I then get some Cereal for breakfast and text Pauline to let her know all is done and dusted here.

Pauline phones back, I get dressed and then settle to watch the Olympic rowing Finals. The Rowing is taking place at Eton Dorney lake near Windsor.

Eton Dorney Lake with Windsor Castle in the background

We did well in the Rowing today and won two Medals. In the Woman,s pairs we won Gold

Helen Glover and Heather Stanning

And in the Mens Eights we won a Bronze Medal.

Team GB Mens Eight,s crossing the finish line in 3rd place for a Bronze Medal.

So we did well today so far and we have the mens Time trial cycling later on this afternoon, in the womens time trials earlier this afternoon Team GB came 6th.

Well that was a good morning watching the Olympics and now it is time for an Egg Mayonnaise Sandwich for lunch with a cup of tea and then a bit of Family History research for an hour before starting to get todays Journal written. It is 13 months since I started to write this Daily journal and looking at the Statistics to day it amazes me how many people are still reading the journal and that the number visiting it has increased over the last 13 months.

Well so far so good today, although I can,t believe that in 2 weeks time I will be moving from my 3 bedroom house into a 1 bedroom ground floor flat, there is so much to get sorted and to arrange, although I have great help from Family and friends it is all the paperwork involved with the sale of the house and the rental of the flat and letting everybody know. It is possible that I may not be online and writing the journal if I have a gap changing the broadband provider from one address to another but hopefully it will only be for a couple of days towards the middle of the month.

Well there we are then folks another day of doing very little, saving energy for shopping tomorrow with Pauline, so I will say Bye Bye until tomorrow and leave you with todays "Day in History"