Categories: uncategorized
Date: 09 September 2006 16:08:34
Okay, hairdresser booked (thanks to Sad Sister for recommendation)
Regent College form filled - ready for posting
Paperwork Pile of Doom revealed no unpleasant surpises, just the ongoing stuff I expected. Must tackle properly soon. Can't wait...
Okay, tales of our few days away.
Arrived mid-afternoon on Tues after a pretty good journey down and chilled out with the family, catching up on all the goss. An excuse to sit an read, guilt free, and watch a film on TV with the folks.
After a leisurely start to Wednesday, we pottered off on the steam railway into Swanage for lunch. Found a lovely Christian cafe cum bookshop. Had good food and then looked at the books etc. Bought some 'Holy Socks' (sic) and a couple of books. Then wandered around town and, oops, into the Oxfam bookshop. More purchases. My universe felt a little strange by this point. I had bought a number of reading items, Husband had bought none. None! Reckon I entered a parallel universe somewhere on the outskirts of Corfe Castle as this is usually the other way around!
Later that day, the family all went to a lovely pub and Jeff met Den's bloke, Rob (arrived that evening), for the first time. As predicted, Anglo-Welsh hostilities ensued i.e. good natured insults were exchanged and they got on fine! Food in pub was great. Recommend 'Stinger' organic ale. Has nettles in it, but don't let that put you off. Went home suitably stuffed and relaxed, again.
On Thurs, Husband and self joined Den and Rob for lunch. More pub fare - I must've put on tons of lard over the last few days. Tasty, tho ;) Had a good time, chatting and joking and parted company for the afternoon. The two of us went for a stroll along the sea front in Swanage and sat outside with a cuppa. The day was v clear and we could see the IOW easily. Both waved at Smudgie, but she did not wave back. Perhaps she didn't see us, p'raps looking the other way at the time.
Visited Auntie Jan and Uncle Alan in the evening. Drank tea, ate fab cake and were regaled with the story of the squirrel (see T & E blog for details).
Friday saw us leave at around 11.30am to meander slowly home, arriving just in time for Husband to carry out his scheduled conference call. Surprisingly, Little Chef pancakes and maple syrup are very yummy.
As for the family, reckon they are pretty good. Mum is getting better and better all the time and the flashes of 'real Mum' are more frequent and more brilliant. She was gardening with Dad's help. (I said to her, on the quiet, that having a stroke was a pretty drastic move to take in order to have assistance with the garden. She laughed at that!) She was doing odds and ends of houseworky stuff and enjoying the TV. Her conversations were more easy to follow, too, and some phrases sounded 'stroke free' i.e. not slurred or confused. On the whole, pretty good.
Den and Rob doing well. Ironing out problems and enjoying their time together. Am so glad that she has an outlet now and someone who cares very much for her. A real answer to prayer (literally!) Rob is a great guy and I hope that this whole thing go from strength to strength. (Pray with me?)
Dad is still Dad. Seems to be doing okay, never can tell with him. No issues, tho, as far as I can tell. He's lost weight, which can only be a good thing and is doing his best to make things easier for Mum. Enjoyed chatting and laughing with him.
I think a good image to take away from our time there is walking in Dad, Mum and Den in paroxyms of laughter. Mum had been trying, and failing, to say her tounge twister speech exercises. I'm sure the one about removing feathers from game birds was not given by the speech therpist, but I think it was the source of the hilarity. A lovely moment to witness, truly lovely.
Right, Fair Trade stuff now. Back soon (I hope!)