PLEASE READ

ABC - Q - ANSWERS

2007-11-14T23:34:00.001-08:00

RONALD REAGAN
MARGARET THATCHER
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE
THE MORSE CODE
SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS
CLINT EASTWOOD
SEAN CONNERY
ELVIS AARON PRESLEY
THAT'S ONE SMALL STEP FOR A MAN; ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND

An Email to share

2007-07-30T15:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Ruth,

I enjoyed visiting your blog today and noticed your quotation from Napoleoin Hill. I thought that you and your readers might be interested to learn that a new edition of Napoleon Hill's classic book "Think and Grow Rich" has been published.

Its title is "Think and Grow Rich!" (subtitled) "The Original Version, Restored and Revised." I am the editor/annotator of this new 412-page edition, which is really an homage to Dr. Hill. (For several years I was the editor-in-chief of "Think & Grow Rich Newsletter.")

What I have done is this: to restore Dr. Hill's book to its original manuscript content (it was first published in 1937, but was abridged in 1960), annotate it with more than 50 pages of endnotes (most of the persons and events he discusses are generally unknown to readers today), index it thoroughly, add an appendix with a wealth of additional information about Dr. Hill and his work, and revise the book in ways to help remove certain "impediments" to reading the book today (language that today would be considered obsolete, sexist or racist). None of these things had previously been done with TGR.

If you would like to learn a little more about this project, a quick visit to http://www.tgr-restored-revised.com/ will give you some details. The "Editor's Foreword" provides more complete information, and the “Testimonials” page will demonstrate how well-received this new book is around the world.

Here is the book’s Amazon.com page...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Think-Grow-Rich-Original-Restored/dp/1593302002/ref=sr_1_2/026-0658794-4276429?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185903998&sr=1-2

The book is available on all the Amazon websites and most other online sellers, it can be ordered by any bookstore, and it will start appearing in bookstores soon.

Our edition of TGR! is superior in every way to other versions on the market. It is a trade paperback, not a pocket-size mass market paperback. It is unabridged. It is 412 pages versus 230+ (depending on the edition). It looks better, feels better, reads better than any other version. It is fast becoming the "version of choice" among Napoleon Hill devotees and other students of success and high achievement.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Ross Cornwell, Editor

Banana Bread

2007-04-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

225g self-raising flour

100g softened butter

4 ripe bananas, mashed

50g dark soft brown sugar

4 tablespoons Golden Syrup

4 eggs

50g pecan or walnut pieces (optional)

50g sultanas (optional)

Preheat oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4

Butter and line a 900g loaf tin.

Mix all ingredients until well combined

Spoon into tin and bake in oven for 50-55 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

Remove from oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes before turning out.

IF IT SHOULD BE

2007-03-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
and pain should keep me from my sleep,
then you must do what must be done,
for we know this last battle can't be won.
You will be sad, I understand,
but don't let grief then stay your hand,
for this day, more than the rest,
your love and friendship must stand the test.
We've had so many happy years,
what is to come can hold no fears.
Would you want me to suffer?
So,when the time comes, please let me go.
Take me where my needs they'll tend,
only stay with me until the end,
and hold me firm and speak to me,
until my eyes no longer see.
It is a kindness that you do to me,
although my tail it's last has waved,
from pain and suffering I have been saved.
Do not grieve, it should be you,
who must decide this thing to do.
We've been so close, we two these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

GINGER CAKE

2007-03-07T06:47:00.000-08:00

225g self-raising flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground mixed spice
100g butter, cut into cubes
100g dark muscovado sugar
100g black treacle
100g golden syrup
250ml milk
85g stem ginger from a jar, drained and finely chopped
1 egg

Preheat oven; fan 180C/conventional 200C/gas 4. Butter and line a 18cm round deep cake tin with greaseproof paper (I use ready made cake tin liners). Put the flour, bicarb and spices into a large bowl and rub butter into the mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs (a few quick pulses in a food processor can do this)
Heat gently the syrup, treacle, sugar and milk in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Turn up heat and bring ALMOST to the boil.
Add the grated ginger to the flour mixture, then pour in the treacle mixture stirring continuously. Crack in the egg and beat until mixture is combined. Pour into tin and bake for 50 minutes or until a skewer comes out fairly clean. Leave to cool completely before tuning out.
*This can be served as a cake or sliced and spread with butter.
Very nice with a little lemon icing drizzled over the top.
It will keep for up to 2 weeks in an airtight tin or can be frozen (un-iced) in greaseproof paper and cling film for up to a month.

CHOCOLATE CAKE

2007-03-02T12:02:00.000-08:00

175g plain flour
50g cocoa powder
1 heaped teaspoon baking powder
1 heaped teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
2 tablespoons black treacle
2 eggs
75g caster sugar
150mls milk
150mls vegetable oil
Grease 2 20cm cake tins, line with greaseproof paper (to make it easier to get cake out).Preheat oven to 170C/325F/Gas mark 3. Sift flour,cocoa,baking powder and bicarb. Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Divide mixture betwwen 2 tins; cook for 20-25 minutes. Once cooked and becoming just firm remove from oven, leave for 10 minutes before turning out. Cool and fill to your own taste. Whipped cream or butter icing is nice.
I know it may seem unusual to use cooking oil but it works!

BRITBALLRUN 2007

2007-02-18T02:55:00.000-08:00

THE EVENT
BRITBALLRUN 2007
A 1,000-mile organised car tour held solely on British soil.
DATE: 25th - 27th August 2007
We will be travelling approximately 1,000 miles around the UK over 3 days dressed in top hat and tails and driving a Smart Roadster Brabus Coupe to raise money for Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology.
Put simply, teams start each day at a pre-announced venue and drive between checkpoints towards a common goal.
From the start venue, teams depart at one minute intervals and drive towards the first compulsory checkpoint. Only at this checkpoint will they know the location of the next. There will be 3 to 4 checkpoints per day which are approximately 100-150 miles apart. There are no predefined routes between checkpoints.
The emphasis is on team work, the skill of navigation, forward planning and quick decision making (and luck depending upon route taken and traffic volume).
WHO WE ARE: TEAM SMARTIES!
TEAM MEMBERS:
THE DRIVER - ANDREW McGILL - Father of Rose
THE NAVIGATOR - NATALYA JAGGER … the other mug in top hat and tails!
OUR CAR: SMART ROADSTER BRABUS COUPE

IN MEMORY OFROSE EMMA McGILL - 26th January 1984 to 11th November 2006
After a foundation year at the Liverpool Hope University, Rose embarked on a 3 year degree course in Jewellery Design. Before her course started Rose fell ill and was diagnosed with epilepsy. Tests also proved she had a benign Grade 2 brain tumour. A decision was made to leave the tumour alone, treat the epilepsy that it was causing and allow Rose to complete her degree. After 3 years of very hard work Rose graduated with a BDes (Hons) in Silversmithing & Jewellery in October 2006.In June this year Rose's symptoms worsened and she underwent a 7 hour operation to remove the tumour. Further examination showed that it was now a Grade 4 tumour - Glioblastoma Multiforme.Rose underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy at Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology but, sadly, just 5 months after surgery and following a short stay in hospital Rose passed away on Saturday 11th November 2006.
THE CHARITY:
CLATTERBRIDGE CANCER CAMPAIGN
Clatterbridge Cancer Campaign is a joint fundraising venture which has brought together two charities, working side by side to undertake cancer research and bring patient services at the Cancer Centre at Clatterbridge Centre,WirralClatterbridge is a leading cancer treatment and internationally recognised research Centre. It is raising funds to promote more effective and comfortable treatments and to enable vital research to determine how genes affect the onset and development of cancers, and to provide the most comfortable environment for patients.All the money raised through this campaign will be used to develop new and ongoing work in the J K Douglas Laboratories and the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology.
OUR TARGET: £5,000.00
Total Raised to Date: £1,564.00
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Due to its exclusive nature, the Britballrun event attracts a huge National and Local audience.
There are many ways you could help us reach our target including:
Car Sponsorship - Your advert somewhere on our Smart Roadster!
Sponsor the Team - Have your logo somewhere on our Top hat and Tails!
Make a Donation through our website -
http://www.justgiving.com/rosemcgill

If you, your company, friends or family are interested in helping us reach our target please contact us via one of the following:

Email: bbr2007@gmail.com
Tel: 0113 243 2542
Mobile: 07890 724204
Address: TEAM SMARTIES!
80 Cromwell Court
10 Bowman Lane
LEEDS
West Yorkshire
LS10 1HN

You can also donate by using the link in the sidebar.

Lemon Balm Cheesecake

2007-02-10T04:26:00.000-08:00

Pastry
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 pinch salt
3 oz. butter cut into pieces
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Sift flour and salt into a bowl.
Rub in butter with fingertips until mix looks like fine breadcrumbs.
Add enough water to make a soft dough.
Roll out to line a 7” quiche dish.
Bake for 15 minutes.
Filling
2 oz. butter
2 TBS honey
12 oz. cream cheese
2 eggs beaten
6 tablespoons chopped lemon balm
Reduce oven to 350 degrees.
Beat butter, honey, and cream cheese until soft and creamy.
Beat in eggs, and fold in lemon balm.
Pour filling into pastry case, and bake for 45 minutes until golden and set.
Serve with whipped cream or yogurt.

BAKEWELL TART

2007-02-07T06:45:00.000-08:00

Bakewell Tart
225g (8 oz) Shortcrust or Puff pastry.....(must admit I always try and have some ready made baked cases on standby...makes it far quicker to prepare)

110g (4 oz) Ground Almonds

110g (4 oz) Caster Sugar

50g (2 oz) Butter

3 Eggs (medium)

4 tbsp Strawberry Jam

¼ tsp Almond Essence
Flaked Almonds (optional)
Pre-heat oven to 200 °C; 400 °F; Gas 6. Roll out the pastry on a floured surface. Line a 900 ml (1½ pint) shallow dish or pie tin. Mark the rim with the prongs of a fork. Chill in the refrigerator while making the filling. Beat the almonds with the sugar, butter, eggs and almond essence. Spread the pastry with an even layer of jam and pour in the filling. (I sometimes use cooked pureed apple for a change)
(Scatter a few flaked almonds over the top if you like)
Bake for 30 minutes or until set. Serve warm or cold.

ROLE OF THE DISTRICT NURSE

2007-01-30T06:34:00.000-08:00

N.B. THE NOTES IN BLUE ARE MADE BY ME.
The district nurse (sometimes known as a community nurse) is a key person in the care of someone who is ill at home. They can visit regularly to give a range of nursing care, including giving drugs and injections, changing dressings, and giving advice on bowel problems and incontinence. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF "REGULARLY".........OUR LAST VISIT WAS 29TH JUNE 2006
The district nurse can also arrange for special equipment to be delivered, such as a commode, a special mattress, bedpans, or a hoist or sling. They can show you how to do everyday nursing tasks such as washing, lifting and personal care. ONLY THING I WAS SHOWN HOW TO USE WAS THE HOIST......WITHOUT MICK IN IT!...I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR ONE PERSON TO USE IT ON THEIR OWN
The hospital should let the district nurse know that the person you are caring for is coming home, or the GP may arrange for them to visit. THIS TOOK TWO MONTHS
The first home visit you have will be from a district nurse who has overall responsibility for the nursing help you are given. They will discuss with you what care will be provided. After that, regular visits will be made by the district nurse. Usually, you will see the same one or two nurses. CANNOT THINK OF ANY CARE THEY PROVIDED......A NURSE CAME ONCE TO PUT A DRESSING ON MICK'S CHEST AND COULDN'T WORK OUT HOW TO DO IT
District nurses can visit up to three times a day: morning, afternoon and twilight, although this may vary depending on the services available in your area. Some areas also have night staff. Sometimes a nursing auxiliary will help the district nurse with things like bathing and washing.
WONDER WHO'S GETTING OUR SHARE!

I THINK THAT NOW THEY WOULD BE MORE OF A HINDERANCE THAN A HELP ANYWAY!

MARMALADE CAKE

2007-01-23T10:39:00.000-08:00

150g chunky marmalade
175g soft butter
175g soft brown sugar
3 beaten eggs
225g self raising flour
half teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon mixed spice
100g pecan or walnuts

Preheat oven...fan 160c/conventional180c/gas 4.
Butter and line a 900g loaf tin (loaf tin liners are very handy for this)
Reserve 1 tablespoon of marmalade and mix the rest in with all the other ingredients except the nuts......whisk or beat with a spoon until smooth.
Stir in half the nuts, spoon into tin, smooth top and scatter with remaining nuts.
Bake for 1 hour or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. If it starts to brown too quickly cover loosely with foil once the cake has risen and set.
Leave to cool for 5 minutes then tip out onto cooling rack.
Warm the reserved marmalade gently until it has melted then brush over the top of the cake to glaze.
Serve plain or with butter.
Will keep for a few days in a cake tin (if the kids don't get it) or can be frozen for 2 months

Equally as nice using lemon or ginger marmalade

GW'S DREAM..........a possible interpretation

2007-01-22T12:47:00.000-08:00

KEYWORDS AND THEIR MEANINGS

Ruth = Stranger (ok a blogfriend but still in effect a stranger)
Symbolises the part of yourself that is repressed and hidden. Possibly the fact that I am not a complete stranger means you are starting to KNOW yourself
Garden
You need to be nurtured
Plants
Fertility and spiritual development growth or potential for growth
Marquee (as in tent)
Take time off from the daily grind or alternatively, instability and insecurity in your current situation
Scaffold pole (as in scaffolding)
Something is temporary. You may be in need of support to reach your goals
Middle-aged people (as in elderly...which middle-aged would be at your age)
Wisdom or spiritual power. They help provide life answers and solutions to your problems and try to guide you towards the right direction
Parkland
Represents a temporary escape from reality. It indicates renewal, meditation and spirituality. Also an indication of a readjustment period after a serious personal conflict or an ending of a passionate affair

It will be interesting to see how you feel these meanings relate to you. From reading your blog I think they could be spot on.

APPLE PANCAKES

2007-01-18T14:06:00.000-08:00

Pancakes

125g plain flour

pinch of salt

1 beaten egg

300mls milk

1 tblsp oil

Filling

25g butter

750g cooking apples, peeled, cored and sliced

50g brown sugar

1/2 teasp ground cinnamon

50g sultanas

To finish

3 tbspns warm apricot jam

25g toasted flaked almonds

Make the pancakes

Sift flour and salt into a bowl, add the egg, then gradually add half the milk...stirring constantly. Add the oil and beat until smooth. Add the remaining milk and leave to stand for 30 minutes before cooking.

Make the filling

Melt the butter in a pan, add the apples, sugar, cinnamon and sultanas. Cover and simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes until the apples are tender.

Place a pancake on a greased ovenproof dish, cover with some of the apple mixture then put another pancake on top. Continue in this way until all the apple mixture and pancakes are used up finishing with a pancake.

Spoon over the apricot jam to glaze. Bake in a preheated oven, 180C (350F), Gas mark 4 for 10 to 15 minutes until heated through. Cut into wedges and sprinkle with almonds. Serve with whipped cream or creme fraiche.

Serves 6

MY DREAM

2007-01-07T09:59:00.000-08:00

Mick and I are sitting at a large dining table in quite palatial surroundings; other people are at the table too but I don't remember seeing any faces or recognising anyone.
There is a knock at a door; the host (unknown to me) says "Don't worry sometimes that happens"
I am suddenly going into a large, again palatial, bedroom with a large bay window, there are two beds. I wonder where Mick is. I go to the first bed but a man is asleep in it. I wonder for a moment am I in the right room; but looking round I know I am in our room. I go to the other bed; there is a man asleep in that too. I think "Where are Mick and I going to sleep?"
The second man sits up; I take out my camera and take his picture; I think "I'll put this on my blog"
I am suddenly a child; about 9 or 10 years of age.
I go into my parents room; my younger sister is asleep in a bed in there.
I say to my parents "I'm going to sleep on the couch; there are people in our room".
My mother says "Yes the host said can happen".
I have something? in my hand.
I see a crevice in a large wooden piece of furniture; it has a note in it saying that if I open the item in my hand something will be revealed.
I open the thing in my hand; a small orange button with 4 holes in drops out; about 5 more buttons drop from the ceiling onto the carpet; all are orange except for one; this is white and still has thread running through its holes.
I am now standing wet and naked from having a shower.
My father gets into the shower.
All the lights go out.
Still wet I get into my sister's bed; put my hand on her and tell her not to worry as I am here to protect her. I am not frightened at all.
As my eyes grow accustomed to the dark I look at the wallpaper; a Red Indian village theme; a Red Indian steps out of the wall; he is not a chief with headdress just an ordinary Indian. I am not frightened.

THIS IS WHEN I WOKE UP; ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED (I DON'T KNOW WHAT OF); I WAS SWEATING, CRYING AND MY HEART WAS THUMPING.

The meanings Manda and I have found for certain key words:

Eating in company; can show a fear of being alone, suggests a need for company and emotional support
Palatial (possibly as in castle?); a defended space may represent the feminine nature, or a place of safety and our innermost selves
Knocking on door; a warning of some sort of difficulty
Bedroom; a safety zone
Strangers (as in intruders in my bedroom); the taking on of the masculine role
Camera; recording events or occasions we may need to remember (I am assuming my blog)
Child; inner child giving you clarity for a wholeness previously unrecognised
Mother; needing nurturing
Father; about power, presence of love; maybe that all is not settled in the world
Sister; sensitive side of ourselves
Crevice (as in crack); the irrational, unexpected or our inability to mentally keep it together
Buttons (only reference we could find was circles); represents the "self"
Holes in buttons (as in dots in circle); signifies the soul in completion and femininity
Thread; symbolises an enquiry regarding the way our lives are going
Orange; passion in ones life
White; people feel they can rely on you; an abundance of energy and vitality
Nakedness; reveals vulnerability that lies below the surface of our more confident selves; a general sense that if you were fully known you would not be fully accepted; a desire to be open and honest
Shower (as in hair washing); a need to clear your/mind head in order to think clearly; can also represent a need to wash someone out of your hair (usually the next person in your dream).....N.B. the next person in my dream was my father..for reasons I will not disclose this is somewhat apt
Darkness; some kind of negativity; a state of confusion or the depressed hidden side of the personality
Wallpaper; symbolises an outer facade of some kind
Tent (as in Indian village theme); maybe unable to settle down; perhaps need to get away from responsibilities for a time
Totem Pole (as in Indian village theme); links us with a primitive need for protection; a need to look at parts of our lives based around our belief system

All I Have To Do Is Dream
By Roy Orbison

Ruth's Coconut Oat Bars

2007-01-03T13:04:00.000-08:00

Makes 12
Ready in 55 minutes

For the base
85g self raising flour
85g porridge oats
50g soft brown sugar
85g butter

For the topping
25g butter, melted
3 eggs
175g soft brown sugar
140g raisins
85g desiccated coconut
the grated rind and juice of a large lemon
50g icing sugar (optional)

Make the oat base
Turn the oven to fan 160c/conventional 180c/gas4. Put the flour, oats and sugar in a bowl and rub in the butter with your fingers. Tip into the base of a 26x18cm tin and press down until smooth. Bake for 10 minutes or until pale golden.

Mix the topping
Beat the melted butter, eggs and sugar with the raisins, coconut, half the lemon rind and 2 tablespoons of juice. Pour over the baked base and return to the oven for 20 minutes more until the top is set and pale golden.

Mark the 12 bars while still warm, then leave to cool before cutting through. It is much easier to get them out of the tin when they have completely cooled.

Drizzle with icing (optional)
Tip the icing sugar into a small bowl and mix with the remaining lemon rind. Stir in up to 3 teaspoons of lemon juice to make a smooth icing then drizzle in diagonal lines over the top of each bar.

These will keep in a tin for up to a week. They are best not frozen as it will spoil texture.

Try some other flavours
juicy apricot - replace the raisins with the same amount of read to eat dried apricots, but chop them first to make raisin sized pieces

Slightly spicy - add half a teaspoon ground cinnamon to the oats to given the cake a spicy base.

Orange and coconut - Use a small orange instead of the lemon.

A DAY IN MY LIFE

2006-10-27T03:33:00.000-07:00

The whole reason I started this blog was because I wanted an outlet to put down my feelings about my husbands brain cancer. I've many times tried to do this but so far haven't managed it; a) because I dont have the time
b) because I find it too upsetting
I want to put something down in words though so have decided to try to do a "DAY IN THE LIFE" posting. It may mean I have to keep coming back and editing to add more as I dont think I'll have time to do it in one sitting. Any way here goes!
Info:- Hubby cant speak, move or talk. He is totally unable to communicate, unable to feed himself (most meals take at least an hour to get down him) and is doubly incontinent. His arms are clenched up to his chest and almost impossible to move; which makes dressing very difficult. It is thought that he has no short term memory and is not aware of his condition. I dont tell him he is dying - if he is blissfully unaware of it why make him unhappy? We sleep in our living room as there is no way to get him upstairs to the bedroom. The timings are not hard an fast - it only needs a phone call to come in or a knock on the door or hubby having a REALLY bad choking fit or needing an extra long clean up after having bowels open and all routine is changed.
N.B.
Text in blue is additional information depending on what day it is or if we are due visitors etc.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CARER
6am
Been awake for about half an hour. Busting to go to the loo but been holding it cos still dark outside and its so cosy in bed. Gotta get up tho - hubby could rouse any time between now and 8am and if I dont go to the loo, wash and dress now I dont know when I'll get the chance.
6.15am
Quickly put kettle on - check on hubby. Upstairs for loo, wash and dress - check on hubby. Have a coffee, wash up any evening dirty crockery - check on hubby. Turn on computer and check for post and bank balance - pay any due bills online - check on hubby.
7am
Hubby rousing, chat to him while I open curtains, sit him up and put his glasses on him (dont know for sure how much he can still see but wont chance leaving them off). Go into kitchen and make hubby his morning tea in a bottle - unable to take it from a cup. Takes a while for him to be able to drink his tea - chokes a lot first thing in the morning. Chat constantly to him - I surmise that his short term memory is practically non existent so usually the same conversation every day unless I have any new family or world/sport news to give him. Text Lynn to let her know Dad awake - she will then usually phone. Receive and answer text from Leanne.
7.45
Hubby managed most of his tea. Starting to lick his lips so making him some porridge for breakfast.
8am
Give hubby his steroids (only medication he is on) and feed him his breakfast. He has one of his "funny turns" - gazing into space. Always falls fast asleep for about 10 mins after one of these. Manda pops in on her way to work to check we are ok.
8.20
Hubby wakes up again. Rewarm breakfast and continue feeding hubby. He manages to eat it all and then falls back to sleep.
8.45
Clear up breakfast things. Make my self another quick coffee - check on hubby. Tidy up living-cum-bedroom.
9.15
Get hubby washed and dressed. This has to be done while he is laying in bed. Involves lots of turning him on one side and then the other in order to change incontinence pad and get his clothes on.
9.45
Using electric hoist get hubby out of bed, tidy up and put washing on and :-
If visitors due the next day - put hubby in arm chair so I can go upstairs and get bedrooms clean and beds made - constantly running up and down stairs every 10 mins to check on him.
If weather fine and shopping needed - put hubby in wheelchair and push him to local shops.
If weather fine and no shopping needed - put hubby in wheelchair and sit him in garden while I do gardening.
If weather bad sit hubby in arm chair and chat to him about family or garden; may put on a dvd for him to watch/snooze to; in which case I will either do some cake cooking (especially if visitors due next day) or other general chores.
If we have a visitor and dont go out for a walk, sit hubby in arm chair.
About once every six weeks manage to book special transport which we can get hubby in wheelchair in. Will then go into nearest town or to a garden centre for a couple of hours.
11am
Try to get hubby to have a drink if he wakes for a while. Sometimes if we are in the garden I feed him an ice lolly. Hubbys brother usually phones about this time.
11.30
Put hubby back on his bed. Get lunch ready.
12am
Feed hubby lunch, will have something my self too. Manda pops in in her lunch hour.
1.15
Clear up lunch stuff. Change incontinence pad if necessary. Do prep for evening meal. Make any necessary phone calls, open mail, do any other housework or gardening I need to - maybe be very lazy and spend an hour on the computer! Sometimes friend Sue pops in and has a chat. Check on hubby continually!
3pm
Try and get another drink down hubby. He finds drinking very difficult and gets very dehydrated - NOT GOOD!
Fridays:- Manda comes and helps me give hubby a shower. This entails undressing hubby, putting him in wheelchair, wheeling him into kitchen and placing wheelchair in a kiddies paddling pool. Using jugs of warm water we can wash his hair and "shower" him the best we can. Then have to hoist him back on the bed and dry him. Then hoist him back out of bed to put dry sheets on bed then hoist him back in. We have it down to a fine art now and can get it all done in an hour.
3.30
Make sure any wet washing is put in drier and any dry washing put away.
4pm.
Depending on length of time needed start dinner cooking. If a "quick to cook" dinner may quickly wash my hair, cut my nails or hubbys.
4.45
Lynn phones and has chat to her Dad
5pm
Sit up hubby ready for dinner. Feed hubby dinner. Will try to have something eat myself at the same time. As long as he has not had a "funny turn" or choking fit hubby will have finished main course by 6 and dessert by 6.30. Leanne will usually text or ring.
6.30
Tidy up kitchen after dinner. Thank God for dishwashers!
7pm
Manda comes round and helps me get hubby ready for bed. Usually stays for an hour and makes me a LOVELY cup of coffee. A very special moment in the day to sit down and have someone wait on me.
8pm
Get my night clothes on. Know its early but it makes me feel more relaxed.
9pm
Hubby usually rouses and try to get a drink down him. Sometimes, if he has not managed all his dinner he will lick his lips and so I'll feed him a yoghurt or some fruit. Usually settles down again by 10pm.
10pm
I will watch some tv or go on the computer. This is my chill out time. Sometimes I feel so tired I go to sleep but then usually wake about 2am and cant get back to sleep till 5am (just listening to hubby sleeping) so try to stay awake till midnight; then I find I can sleep till 5am except for the occasional visit to the loo.
Well that's about it. Of course there are all the other little things fitted in odd moments on different days; sorting family birthday cards/presents, putting out dustbins (we have 4 different ones put out on 4 different days!, hairdresser coming to cut hair and all the other little things we all have to do whether we are carers or not. Somehow it all gets done!

RETURN TO A DIARY OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS