Our walk today took us along the Cuckmere, where it meanders towards the sea. Such striking scenery on this walk, because you are going through a valley, so on each side there are beautiful country views with sheep and cattle. And yet you know that you are only minutes from the sea. It also feels so open, looking up at the sky which was clear and blue this afternoon.
We didn't get quite to the sea today but did a circular route which took us down one side of the river and up the other. Had to be a bit careful as there was quite a breeze. I put the scarf partially over my face to protect my lovely nose, which is healing so well.
Had a bit of a surprise today. My dear husband had already mentioned that we had been amazingly frugal just recently, which meant that we had more than he thought in the bank. He knew that I had said that at the end of the year I would need to think about a new computer as mine was about 8 years old. (I don't really want it going on the blink before buying a new one!). I have now been told to buy one now!! Wonderful, except I keep on thinking, should I wait and what would happen if we had a financial emergency and needed the money - I can sure give myself excuses.
So, it has been decided that I sort out what needs to be sorted on my computer and order a hard drive etc., from our local computer shop, who seems to have the best deal. Exciting and frightening all at the same time!!
A bit tired tonight - I was trying out new things with a birthday card for a member of the choir (actually the organist). I don't think I've got it quite right yet - needs a bit more work, so it won't be handed around to sign tomorrow - not happy with it at all.
Thursday 26 January 2012
Wednesday 25 January 2012
Walking in Firle
There is nothing quite like a good walk with Joey, our dog. And Firle is a beautiful place to go walking, especially when we do a circular route around the village. This takes you onto the Firle Estate lands and then around to view the Downs and Firle Beacon. Lovely views and very peaceful. A bonus when we saw Peter Owen- Jones in his car.
As we walked we talked about longer walks we might try this year, now that I seem to have so much more energy. One we both would like to do would take you from Firle village and up onto the Downs. As my husband pointed out there were at least some trees in the area, so if it became hot we could have some respite.
On the poo front (see earlier postings), I'm afraid there are now two more poos on that twitten. I have decided that tomorrow I may remove as many of the dumpings as I can. I just find them plain annoying, but rather than getting annoyed, the answer may well be to be community spirited and clear the twitten. It does go against the grain but I believe that there are certain people in this world who take pleasure in being a pain and going up against them would just cause angst. By the way, when may husband and I walked the streets with Joey yesterday, we passed a house with two rather angry dogs - looked the right size for the poo a short way from them up the twitten, so we know where they live!!
As we walked we talked about longer walks we might try this year, now that I seem to have so much more energy. One we both would like to do would take you from Firle village and up onto the Downs. As my husband pointed out there were at least some trees in the area, so if it became hot we could have some respite.
On the poo front (see earlier postings), I'm afraid there are now two more poos on that twitten. I have decided that tomorrow I may remove as many of the dumpings as I can. I just find them plain annoying, but rather than getting annoyed, the answer may well be to be community spirited and clear the twitten. It does go against the grain but I believe that there are certain people in this world who take pleasure in being a pain and going up against them would just cause angst. By the way, when may husband and I walked the streets with Joey yesterday, we passed a house with two rather angry dogs - looked the right size for the poo a short way from them up the twitten, so we know where they live!!
Tuesday 24 January 2012
Smells 2 and Energy
Just a little bit more on smells. I was rather amazed at the smell outside following rain. It was like a muddy but perfumed smell - quite wonderful. If I sound a bit weird, it because it's been so long since I could smell anything, I think I've gone a bit demob happy over it. I stand over things sniffing like crazy, even porridge smelt wonderful this morning.
My husband and I discussed it this afternoon. I expressed my fears as to how long I would have my sense of smell. He just said "Enjoy it while it's there," and I shall.
Another thing that is nothing short of miraculous, is the amount of energy I now seem to have. The operation was only three weeks ago, yet how I am now bears no resemblance to the tired, old feeling female who used to drag herself through the day.
To look at today:- I've been on the computer and finished a draft of a short story, checked email, sent emails, been on facebook and eBay. I've vacuumed and cleaned up the kitchen and bathroom floors. I'm in the process of hand crafting five cards (before the operation, I would have been hard pushed to do one!). We took our dog out for a short walk after the rain and I'm doing this blog. Utterly Amazing!! And, like the smell, I shall take every enjoyment of this energy while its there, day by day.
My husband and I discussed it this afternoon. I expressed my fears as to how long I would have my sense of smell. He just said "Enjoy it while it's there," and I shall.
Another thing that is nothing short of miraculous, is the amount of energy I now seem to have. The operation was only three weeks ago, yet how I am now bears no resemblance to the tired, old feeling female who used to drag herself through the day.
To look at today:- I've been on the computer and finished a draft of a short story, checked email, sent emails, been on facebook and eBay. I've vacuumed and cleaned up the kitchen and bathroom floors. I'm in the process of hand crafting five cards (before the operation, I would have been hard pushed to do one!). We took our dog out for a short walk after the rain and I'm doing this blog. Utterly Amazing!! And, like the smell, I shall take every enjoyment of this energy while its there, day by day.
Monday 23 January 2012
Smells
I'm a bit preoccupied about my sense of smell at the moment. I wasn't really expecting it to come back after my operation. In fact, usually with this sort of op. apparently, you can lose this sense for a while. So to actually smell things at this time is a real bonus.
It does make the world less monochrome. At last I can smell what my home smells like (we moved there three years ago and I never knew what it smelt like - I'm pleased to report that it smells quite nice - not a bad smell anyway). And food cooked by my husband has proved a revelation. It tastes wonderful!! (Not that it ever tasted bad!!). And funnily enough, I don't seem to be eating so much of it at any one time, because I take longer savouring the taste. Before, and I hate to say it, everything tasted bland. Now I appreciate what wonderful meals I have been getting.
Even smelling the dog is wonderful. She is 7 years old now, and I've really only smelt her a couple of times in her life; both times were for a very short time indeed. Now, every day, I take pleasure in smelling my dog - daft, isn't it?
Of course, sometimes places or things that I have always thought might smell nice can be a bit of a disappointment. I went to Morrison's today, fully convinced that I would smell wonderful things - like bread being baked, cleaning liquid smells, fruit and vegetables - but no, hardly any smell, or maybe I wasn't trying hard enough.
Just to be able to breathe through both nostrils is a joy. Unless you have been through this kind of experience, I don't think you can fully understand. I have met people who say they understand because they've had a bad cold and blocked nose - but it's not really the same. At least with cold you can get some relief by using a steamer and breathing in or using a nasal spray - with polyps blocking a nostril, they just is no relief at all, and it can go on for years!!
I'm at last sleeping well and all night through. With the nose blocked, I was sleeping with my mouth open and waking up several times a night, either because I was dry or I woken myself up snoring. And then in the morning, I had to deal with a sandpaper tongue and snot etc coming down the back of my throat - Lovely!
I feel very thankful at the moment for the skill of surgeons and for our NHS; for a loving and caring husband, who has put up with so much; for friends from the Church who have been so supportive and prayed for me; and for those within my Church who could see beyond my health problems and given me the opportunity to work within the Church.
I really have a lot to be grateful for.
Even smelling the dog is wonderful. She is 7 years old now, and I've really only smelt her a couple of times in her life; both times were for a very short time indeed. Now, every day, I take pleasure in smelling my dog - daft, isn't it?
Of course, sometimes places or things that I have always thought might smell nice can be a bit of a disappointment. I went to Morrison's today, fully convinced that I would smell wonderful things - like bread being baked, cleaning liquid smells, fruit and vegetables - but no, hardly any smell, or maybe I wasn't trying hard enough.
Just to be able to breathe through both nostrils is a joy. Unless you have been through this kind of experience, I don't think you can fully understand. I have met people who say they understand because they've had a bad cold and blocked nose - but it's not really the same. At least with cold you can get some relief by using a steamer and breathing in or using a nasal spray - with polyps blocking a nostril, they just is no relief at all, and it can go on for years!!
I'm at last sleeping well and all night through. With the nose blocked, I was sleeping with my mouth open and waking up several times a night, either because I was dry or I woken myself up snoring. And then in the morning, I had to deal with a sandpaper tongue and snot etc coming down the back of my throat - Lovely!
I feel very thankful at the moment for the skill of surgeons and for our NHS; for a loving and caring husband, who has put up with so much; for friends from the Church who have been so supportive and prayed for me; and for those within my Church who could see beyond my health problems and given me the opportunity to work within the Church.
I really have a lot to be grateful for.
Sunday 22 January 2012
Sunday Service
Had to chuckle on my way down to get the newspaper. I usually walk down a couple of twittens to get to the shop. One of them has recently been rather visual on the dog poo front, mainly, it would appear from one dog judging by the uniformity in size - quite a handful!! Some one has evidently got fed up with this and put a note through each amount of poo. The note reads 'Pick up your dog's shit or have your nose rubbed in it!'
It's the sort of thing you dream of doing but never dare. I have a dog myself, but I'm almost anal (Ha!) in my insistence that it must be picked up. Did make me smile though, and wonder how the person is going to react. I would presume that if they don't care where their dog messes, then they aren't going to worry about a note. We shall see. Watch this space.
Back to Church today after 2 weeks away following my operation. I couldn't go anywhere there might be risk of colds etc. for two weeks, so Church was out. Nice to be back and into the swing of things. Was a Reader of one of the Bible passages and sang in the choir. There was, as always, a lovely atmosphere. I was glad to be there. Had a surprise, when our vicar gave me a cross. I have recently been commissioned as an assistant at Communion, and this is to be worn when I perform my duties. Really amazed to be given such a thing - I shall treasure it.
Then after lunch, our walk with Joey, our dog. For some reason, she has taken against a walk we've been going on since we moved here. She seems really scared, and then we heard a whistle and that was it. Must do some research on this.
So far, not a bad day and good for a Sunday.
It's the sort of thing you dream of doing but never dare. I have a dog myself, but I'm almost anal (Ha!) in my insistence that it must be picked up. Did make me smile though, and wonder how the person is going to react. I would presume that if they don't care where their dog messes, then they aren't going to worry about a note. We shall see. Watch this space.
Back to Church today after 2 weeks away following my operation. I couldn't go anywhere there might be risk of colds etc. for two weeks, so Church was out. Nice to be back and into the swing of things. Was a Reader of one of the Bible passages and sang in the choir. There was, as always, a lovely atmosphere. I was glad to be there. Had a surprise, when our vicar gave me a cross. I have recently been commissioned as an assistant at Communion, and this is to be worn when I perform my duties. Really amazed to be given such a thing - I shall treasure it.
Then after lunch, our walk with Joey, our dog. For some reason, she has taken against a walk we've been going on since we moved here. She seems really scared, and then we heard a whistle and that was it. Must do some research on this.
So far, not a bad day and good for a Sunday.
Saturday 21 January 2012
A Blogger Virgin's First Blog
This is something I thought I would never do. Yet, since an operation a couple of weeks ago, I feel the need to keep track of this year; it just seems that after years of being unwell, I have at last started to get my life back. And it feels GOOD!!
What was the operation? A polypectomy (removal of polyps from the nose). Seems minor, doesn't it? Seven and a half years ago, I had a similar, but bigger operation to remove polyps that had been causing problems for 10 years, but which had not, until the operation, been properly diagnosed.
After that operation, I developed chronic fatigue, and never recovered fully. Then I was told the polyps were regrowing (they were aggressively growing ones apparently), and despite steroid treatment over the past seven years they remained a problem.
Added to that, a diagnosis of an under-active thyroid and you get one tired women.
However, since moving to a beautiful little town in Sussex, with an excellent doctor's practice, I am learning to manage my chronic fatigue; I am on levothyroxine for my thyroid; and I have now had a further operation on my nose, which has been successful.
I now have a sense of smell (although for how long, I don't know, it has been and gone before), my hearing has improved, I no longer shout at my husband (bless him), I can breathe properly through both nostrils and I have more energy than I have had in years.
The sad thing about these conditions is that they are unseen - people look at you as if you're just making it up. Throughout it all, I have looked OK, yet felt at times perfectly awful.
Just before Christmas, my uncle died. I feel so guilty that I just couldn't travel down to his funeral in Plymouth - just didn't have the strength and had a nasal infection as well. Now, of course, I could have considered it. We're even thinking of having a holiday this year - unbelievable.
So I want to keep track this year, of what I get up to. I want to fulfil a dream of writing and am advised that this may be one way of starting things off - we shall see.
What was the operation? A polypectomy (removal of polyps from the nose). Seems minor, doesn't it? Seven and a half years ago, I had a similar, but bigger operation to remove polyps that had been causing problems for 10 years, but which had not, until the operation, been properly diagnosed.
After that operation, I developed chronic fatigue, and never recovered fully. Then I was told the polyps were regrowing (they were aggressively growing ones apparently), and despite steroid treatment over the past seven years they remained a problem.
Added to that, a diagnosis of an under-active thyroid and you get one tired women.
However, since moving to a beautiful little town in Sussex, with an excellent doctor's practice, I am learning to manage my chronic fatigue; I am on levothyroxine for my thyroid; and I have now had a further operation on my nose, which has been successful.
I now have a sense of smell (although for how long, I don't know, it has been and gone before), my hearing has improved, I no longer shout at my husband (bless him), I can breathe properly through both nostrils and I have more energy than I have had in years.
The sad thing about these conditions is that they are unseen - people look at you as if you're just making it up. Throughout it all, I have looked OK, yet felt at times perfectly awful.
Just before Christmas, my uncle died. I feel so guilty that I just couldn't travel down to his funeral in Plymouth - just didn't have the strength and had a nasal infection as well. Now, of course, I could have considered it. We're even thinking of having a holiday this year - unbelievable.
So I want to keep track this year, of what I get up to. I want to fulfil a dream of writing and am advised that this may be one way of starting things off - we shall see.
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