Categories: uncategorized
Date: 10 February 2006 18:25:35
First things first... yes, there is room in my suitcase for a little one. A little bar of chocolate, that is. All donations gratefully received.
Worrying news - I seem to have totally lost the ability to spell the word "received". I know the "i before e except after c" rule but seem no longer able to apply it, and both ways look worryingly correct.
Happy days - the weather on the Isle of Wight is becoming increasingly springlike. I am a little concerned that I actually wanted to do break duty this morning, even though there were cakes in the staffroom. This is abnormal behaviour - frighteningly positive as regards Walk the Wight. I also today was able to hang the washing on the line. It came in cold and damp, but at least I can say I hung it out. It's in the tumble drier now. And my bulbs are looking particularly enthusiastic about the current change in temperature.
Yesterday I did my first proper-ish training walk. OK, so it wasn't a very long walk because I was plagued with guilt every step I took, knowing how much Dad would love to be up on the Downs walking with us, and I ended up going home to fetch him. But Smudgelet and I had great fun exploring a path that we didn't even know existed and have located several more which deserve more thorough investigation at a Grandad-free moment. I am a little concerned at how out of breath I was, though. Smudgelet wanted to know what percentage of Walk the Wight I thought we'd done. Hmmm... how do I break it to him that it was a fragment of the tiniest fraction? In fact, more to the point, how do I break that to me?
Downside of the day - Dad's in a temper because he has decided he doesn't like the hospice and is going to stop going if it doesn't improve. Why doesn't he like it? Because they're too attentive and like to know when he's going walking around, just in case he falls. If they were less attentive he'd take offence too. He's Mr-No-Win sometimes. I'm too inattentive, of course, because I was not willing to stop making the tea in order to look at the art work he did today. I think the coming weeks, once my sister has gone again and I have six weeks unsupported, are going to be pretty hellish some of the time, though delightful the rest of the time. Just read an interesting article in the SAGA magazine (yes, Dad subscribes to it for me because I'm too young!) on the dangers of pride as you get older, not knowing when to let go of some things and move on to new challenges gracefully. Hmmm.. dare I leave it on Dad's bedside table?
Relief is at hand. Sister M arrives tomorrow (after a heartfelt plea from me that she doesn't leave it until Wednesday) and will take over the reins for a week. And on Wednesday... on Wednesday...... :D :D :D I'd better get my suitcase packed and remember to leave room for a little one!