IN BRIEF
Monday 18th
Signed off and supposedly back at work. Luckily not having to teach last class at Allenton, but spent much of today sorting out paperwork to send to person who is covering for me. Strange she hasn't got back in touch!
Lucy managed to oversleep on the morning of her 'big' Maths A Level exam. Was so grateful to find that Graham had left his car for me to drive, should there be the need.
Went for short trip out after tea and I drove back in 'my' car. It felt so 'stiff' and 'heavy' - unlikely that I will ever go back to driving it and having a bit of fun!
Tuesday 19th
Lucy off to school early and came back with considerably more smile on her face than went she returned home from Maths exam. Only one more left, which means she'll only be at school until Friday. (Makes me feel old, my children are no longer children)
Weather (and poorly foot) allowed me to do some gardening at lunchtime.
Wednesday 20th
Lucy at home revising. Managed to 'bag' the computer in the morning to work on website and write lesson plan for Friday. Left at 1.00pm for appointment at Nuffield hospital. Surgeon was surprised that it's still tender near site of wound, offered reassurance with the words: "Give it another 6 weeks to settle" Those 10 minutes will cost me £75!
Went into town and collected mug for Graham I'd had printed with his Honda 400/4. Disappointed that it's a bit on the dark side, but pleased that I actually got round to doing it. (Only 3 days late for Father's Day) Needed a comfy pair of shoes for tomorrow another £40.00. Took Lucy to Garden Centre and frittered away more money...
Thursday 21st
Day out at Derby Evening Telegraph. Had an amazing time with Steve (photographer). Read about it above with more photos on Flickr. Would love to do the job, and have resolved to learn all about and understand F numbers, aperture settings and film speeds. Watch out for next time...
Friday 22nd
Back to teaching at Rycote. Students happy to see me. It was lovely that they all (but one) turned up. Even Line Manager came down especially to welcome me back. I don't think anything has changed there...
Lunch at Sainburys, but had to collect and take Graham back to work now that he has changed offices.
Robert won tickets to go to race meeting at Goodwood. Unfortunately Graham didn;t have time to go too, but Robert made it there, even though it took him 6 hours . Good for you Bob, hope you had a great time, can't wait to see your photos!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
First Outing, Post Op...
This has been my goal over the past few weeks, to drive to the station, catch the train and take up an invitation to spend the main part of the day with Les at the Birmingham School of Jewellery (where he is a senior lecturer). The weather forecast was torrential rain, so it seems a perfect day for spending indoors being shown round. No hold ups and good to have the excuse for a taxi from the station. The doorman was great, they tend to act like human rottweillers, but as soon as they know who you've come to see, they act like puppies, all sweet and loveable and can't do enough for you. I can't remember the last time I saw Les and was worried that I wouldn't recognise him, I needn't have worried, he was just the same. (Dead ringer for Terence Stamp)
Oh To Be Back At School...
The School of Jewellery is a beautiful building which has been totally rebuilt from the inside to provide light and airy accommodation. The Atrium gives the idea of being the centre of a posh ship with handrails of polished light wood and barriers of metal rods to stop you falling through. Even the floors in their Pacific Green hue are reminiscent of the colour of the sea. I was given a guided tour starting at the top of the building and working down. I had imagined that this was normal, but in fact Les was keeping the best till last! Walking the decks, we saw students past and present, all very busy getting their creations finished for next Tuesday's deadline. Les was most proud of one of his previous students, she'd originally been trained by him under a YTS scheme - but there again, the whole place was about success stories.
As we wandered round the classrooms, I was introduced as: "the wife of Graham Curtis, who had made his Honda 400/4 bike" it all got very complicated and then he'd add: " Geraldine teaches jewellery" which was a little embarrassing as the jewellery techniques I teach are nothing like the jewellery technology taught there - where you start with a piece of metal and depending on how you cut, bend, hammer, draw, file etc etc the finished product is a work of art with hours and hours of work behind it. Me, I just do things with beads...
As we wandered round the classrooms, I was introduced as: "the wife of Graham Curtis, who had made his Honda 400/4 bike" it all got very complicated and then he'd add: " Geraldine teaches jewellery" which was a little embarrassing as the jewellery techniques I teach are nothing like the jewellery technology taught there - where you start with a piece of metal and depending on how you cut, bend, hammer, draw, file etc etc the finished product is a work of art with hours and hours of work behind it. Me, I just do things with beads...
'Les' Grotto'
Leading me down into the bowels of the building, Les almost became restless with anticipation. Was it the rows of lathes and metal cutting machines that had caused this raise in heart rate, or the computer software that 'did the designing for you'? No, shepherding me into an enclosed room with neither natural light nor fresh air, it became apparent that here lay Les' 'Piece de Resistance' (electrical current is involved!!) his 'high altar', or as I renamed it; Les' Grotto. This was the Electroplating and Electroforming laboratory... Les' Room of Alchemy... He is a leading expert of these techniques and has even written a book on the subject. For Electroplating, you take an object made in any metal, attach electrodes it to, submerge it in a special solution, switch on the current and depending on how thick you want the metal deposited, leave it as long as it takes. The clever thing about Electroforming, is that you don't need to start with something metal. (But do watch out for the vat containing cyanide!)
One of the examples in his book shows a piece of jewellery, an oval shape (in metal) that has been wrapped with real spider's web..., sprayed with a metal conductive paint, it has then been electroformed in 18 carat gold - you can't get much closer to true alchemy than that! For one of the recent G8 Summits, the School was chosen to produce the 'token' silver pens handed out. The form was first designed and made in wax, painted with the special metal paint, this was electroformed, melting the wax and leaving a hollow for the pen refil to be fitted into.
One of the examples in his book shows a piece of jewellery, an oval shape (in metal) that has been wrapped with real spider's web..., sprayed with a metal conductive paint, it has then been electroformed in 18 carat gold - you can't get much closer to true alchemy than that! For one of the recent G8 Summits, the School was chosen to produce the 'token' silver pens handed out. The form was first designed and made in wax, painted with the special metal paint, this was electroformed, melting the wax and leaving a hollow for the pen refil to be fitted into.
The Secret of Alchemy...
With my head buzzing with all this new (to me) technology, we went upstairs for a quick cup of tea and a short sit down. Next Les talked me through the display of the Final Year Student's work. The majority was well thought out, beautifully executed and a joy to admire, it was all getting too much, like an intoxicating scent or the sound of Jason's Sirens, you just wanted the opportunity to join in. Four o'clock soon came round, taxi back to the station, appalling weather and back to reality - but I do have the key to my new found alchemy, Les gave me a copy of his book...
Friday, June 15, 2007
Morley Garden Party
Saturday 9th June
This is a reminder of the glorious weather we had at the week -end, amazingly hot with not a cloud in the sky. (I still have the strap marks on my shoulders where the sun didn't reach.) We missed Eddie, and didn't win anything on the tombola, but Graham enjoyed his tea and cake and I saw one of my piano pupils.
Greatest achievement was walking there and back, something I couldn't have contemplated the previous week...
This is a reminder of the glorious weather we had at the week -end, amazingly hot with not a cloud in the sky. (I still have the strap marks on my shoulders where the sun didn't reach.) We missed Eddie, and didn't win anything on the tombola, but Graham enjoyed his tea and cake and I saw one of my piano pupils.
Greatest achievement was walking there and back, something I couldn't have contemplated the previous week...
Thursday, June 14, 2007
IN BRIEF
Tuesday 12th
Thought I should 'show willing' and attend Tutor meeting at Village Learning Store. First outing on my own in the car. Great to see everyone again and everyone was very supportive. Only when I reached home realised what a big milestone it had been and how much it had taken out of me. Felt better after half an hour in bed! Last day of hot weather
Thursday 14th
Graham left early for Birmingham airport to fly to Stockholm. My big day out in Birmingham (nearly missed the train as Graham on phone) Had a great time - see above. Link to Les' book disappeared by the end of the day, so have now found a link to Amazon
Home by 5.30pm
Friday 15th
Decided it was time for some retail therapy, so collected Lucy from bus and off we went to Buton. Sunny skies when we got there, torential rain as we attempted to get back to the car. Can't remember a time I have got so soaked!
Tuesday 12th
Thought I should 'show willing' and attend Tutor meeting at Village Learning Store. First outing on my own in the car. Great to see everyone again and everyone was very supportive. Only when I reached home realised what a big milestone it had been and how much it had taken out of me. Felt better after half an hour in bed! Last day of hot weather
Thursday 14th
Graham left early for Birmingham airport to fly to Stockholm. My big day out in Birmingham (nearly missed the train as Graham on phone) Had a great time - see above. Link to Les' book disappeared by the end of the day, so have now found a link to Amazon
Home by 5.30pm
Friday 15th
Decided it was time for some retail therapy, so collected Lucy from bus and off we went to Buton. Sunny skies when we got there, torential rain as we attempted to get back to the car. Can't remember a time I have got so soaked!
Friday, June 08, 2007
Fly Away Peter, Fly Away Paula...
Having just written to the local paper to ask if I can go and 'shadow' one of their professional reporters for a day, I went outside to take advantage of the glorious weather and seek inspiration for my next project. I was standing next to the flower bed when a pot of seeds began to tremble and heave. As I have been playing sandcastles with our local mole all week (you build 'em up and I'll knock 'em down) I dashed in to retrieve my camera and get a moving picture. Of course, he must have felt 'the earth move' ( no erotic innuendoes intended) and decided he was camera shy after all, so I gave up and went in and made a cup of tea.
Standing outside, cup in hand, I espied our baby Blue Tits about to make a break for it. Their parents have been incredibly camera shy all week, but the babies were clearly ready to take centre stage. Luckily, my camera makes very soothing (bird-like?) noises and they seemed to want to make friends straight away! There were two babies, one scruffy and one very sleek. The sleek one appeared to push past my camera and flew off. Incredibly he made it onto the nearest roof, hopped on to and clung to the vertical wall and on up to the highest point he could find, the top of our chimney.
The last I saw was a flutter of wings, flying off into the distance, we can learn so much from observing...
Standing outside, cup in hand, I espied our baby Blue Tits about to make a break for it. Their parents have been incredibly camera shy all week, but the babies were clearly ready to take centre stage. Luckily, my camera makes very soothing (bird-like?) noises and they seemed to want to make friends straight away! There were two babies, one scruffy and one very sleek. The sleek one appeared to push past my camera and flew off. Incredibly he made it onto the nearest roof, hopped on to and clung to the vertical wall and on up to the highest point he could find, the top of our chimney.
The last I saw was a flutter of wings, flying off into the distance, we can learn so much from observing...
IN BRIEF
Monday 4th June
The start of a new week and completely on my own with Lucy back at school. Needn't have worried as first up had a phone call from my sister (rare occurrence). After the formalities of establishing that I had had the operation she offered to visit me on Thursday as she is in Matlock for the day 'doing' a workshop.
Weather very pleasant, so spent a very happy half hour weeding in the allotment. Made more pleasant by bumping into a neighbour en route, who offered the immortal words: "don't over do it" ah, somebody cares...
Graham was also seen to care today, when an enormous bunch of purple and yellow flowers arrived at midday, complete with trendy gift box and helium balloon with the words "I love you" inscribed on it, ah thanks Graham...
Realised that I had not let my 'old neighbour' know of my predicament, so sent an email last thing at night.
Tuesday 5th June
True to fashion, Judith had replied while I was still asleep and offered to come and see me this afternoon. Excellent - some company at last! Managed more weeding in the allotment, unearthing baby lettuce and parsnips which then needed to be transplanted. We spent the afternoon catching up on news about children, holidays, mutual acquaintances, and she brought me a bunch of flowers. We walked up to collect Lucy off the school bus, still trying to increase the frequency of short walks.
Lucy helped me with the watering of the allotment later. Disappointed to see that everything I had so lovingly transplanted, had wilted beyond recognition in the heat!
Wednesday 6th June
Another day at the computer and hey presto another phone call from an infrequently seen school friend. Geraldine, (my name sake) and I were at school together and for the first few years were best friends and always sat together. (Much to the consternation of teachers) We eventually grew apart in the fifth form, when it became increasingly obvious than in my country bumpkin ways, I could no longer compete with a highly intelligent teenager (or is that an?) who always managed higher marks than me. I left after 'O' Levels and went to my local grammar school, where the pace was much slower and I could be 'top swot' ( I don't mean it quite like that, but the pressure was definitely reduced) We had no further contact until I noticed in an 'old girl's' magazine at my mum's, that she was now living about 20 minutes away - so I made contact and after initial fervour, to establish old links we have seen little of each other in the last couple of years. I have to say I was overjoyed at receiving this phone call and to see her again after all this time, even if her exact words were: "I was keeping this week free to go to Australia, but as that has fallen through, I thought I'd visit the sick instead"!
Thanks for the delicious strawberries!
Thursday 7th June
A Red Letter day. As part of my rehabilitation, Lucy offered to take a break from her 'A' Level revision to escort me to town for a meal at Nandos. I was so tense about the whole thing...first bus ride, no escape route, seeing people...Anyway it all went much smoother than expected with Lucy the perfect escort and morale supporter (as long as I paid for everything!) We even saw someone on the bus on the way home that I'd not seen in ages, so more 'catch up' achieved. Again, time spent on feet was too long, but if you don't push the boundaries you will never get better (I keep telling myself through gritted teeth) Hoping to seek sanctuary in bed when I got home was short lived after listening to a message on the phone announcing the imminent arrival of my sister. She arrived from Matlock having spent the day 'teaching' bereavement counselling to a group of local volunteers.
Friday 8th June
Lucy missed the school bus, having left the house and returned three times for essential items. It was her 'Leavers Do' and with me not driving, had made the decision to stay at 'the boyfriend's' to get ready, rather than coming home and me taking her. (She wasn't at all happy with this arrangement, but there wasn't a lot I could do about it...) Busy day on the website. Great weather, so lots of walks.
Was very privileged to witness the first flight of our Blue Tit fledglings. (See above) Felt sorry for the scruffy one as he (she) only managed to fall out of the nesting box and land directly underneath it, leaving itself worryingly exposed to attack. Decided to intervene by popping him back in the box for another 'go'. The box was definitely empty by the following morning and I thought I saw him hopping from branch to branch in the plum tree, but no sightings since...
Monday 4th June
The start of a new week and completely on my own with Lucy back at school. Needn't have worried as first up had a phone call from my sister (rare occurrence). After the formalities of establishing that I had had the operation she offered to visit me on Thursday as she is in Matlock for the day 'doing' a workshop.
Weather very pleasant, so spent a very happy half hour weeding in the allotment. Made more pleasant by bumping into a neighbour en route, who offered the immortal words: "don't over do it" ah, somebody cares...
Graham was also seen to care today, when an enormous bunch of purple and yellow flowers arrived at midday, complete with trendy gift box and helium balloon with the words "I love you" inscribed on it, ah thanks Graham...
Realised that I had not let my 'old neighbour' know of my predicament, so sent an email last thing at night.
Tuesday 5th June
True to fashion, Judith had replied while I was still asleep and offered to come and see me this afternoon. Excellent - some company at last! Managed more weeding in the allotment, unearthing baby lettuce and parsnips which then needed to be transplanted. We spent the afternoon catching up on news about children, holidays, mutual acquaintances, and she brought me a bunch of flowers. We walked up to collect Lucy off the school bus, still trying to increase the frequency of short walks.
Lucy helped me with the watering of the allotment later. Disappointed to see that everything I had so lovingly transplanted, had wilted beyond recognition in the heat!
Wednesday 6th June
Another day at the computer and hey presto another phone call from an infrequently seen school friend. Geraldine, (my name sake) and I were at school together and for the first few years were best friends and always sat together. (Much to the consternation of teachers) We eventually grew apart in the fifth form, when it became increasingly obvious than in my country bumpkin ways, I could no longer compete with a highly intelligent teenager (or is that an?) who always managed higher marks than me. I left after 'O' Levels and went to my local grammar school, where the pace was much slower and I could be 'top swot' ( I don't mean it quite like that, but the pressure was definitely reduced) We had no further contact until I noticed in an 'old girl's' magazine at my mum's, that she was now living about 20 minutes away - so I made contact and after initial fervour, to establish old links we have seen little of each other in the last couple of years. I have to say I was overjoyed at receiving this phone call and to see her again after all this time, even if her exact words were: "I was keeping this week free to go to Australia, but as that has fallen through, I thought I'd visit the sick instead"!
Thanks for the delicious strawberries!
Thursday 7th June
A Red Letter day. As part of my rehabilitation, Lucy offered to take a break from her 'A' Level revision to escort me to town for a meal at Nandos. I was so tense about the whole thing...first bus ride, no escape route, seeing people...Anyway it all went much smoother than expected with Lucy the perfect escort and morale supporter (as long as I paid for everything!) We even saw someone on the bus on the way home that I'd not seen in ages, so more 'catch up' achieved. Again, time spent on feet was too long, but if you don't push the boundaries you will never get better (I keep telling myself through gritted teeth) Hoping to seek sanctuary in bed when I got home was short lived after listening to a message on the phone announcing the imminent arrival of my sister. She arrived from Matlock having spent the day 'teaching' bereavement counselling to a group of local volunteers.
Friday 8th June
Lucy missed the school bus, having left the house and returned three times for essential items. It was her 'Leavers Do' and with me not driving, had made the decision to stay at 'the boyfriend's' to get ready, rather than coming home and me taking her. (She wasn't at all happy with this arrangement, but there wasn't a lot I could do about it...) Busy day on the website. Great weather, so lots of walks.
Was very privileged to witness the first flight of our Blue Tit fledglings. (See above) Felt sorry for the scruffy one as he (she) only managed to fall out of the nesting box and land directly underneath it, leaving itself worryingly exposed to attack. Decided to intervene by popping him back in the box for another 'go'. The box was definitely empty by the following morning and I thought I saw him hopping from branch to branch in the plum tree, but no sightings since...
IN BRIEF
Monday 28th May
Bank Holiday, so free day for Graham, but oh, the weather! It poured all day as it did yesterday. Decided that a drop of rain would not prevent me in my quest for getting better and we walked 'our circuit'. Unfortunately, two and a half miles was way too far at less than two weeks post-op recovery.
Tuesday 29th
Ordinary day, but feeling the full effect of yesterday's trek. Managed some beading in bed while feeling sorry for myself. Did do some ironing for Graham's imminent trip.
Wednesday 30th
Got up at the crack of dawn to wish Graham 'bon voyage' (off to America again) and went back to bed and to sleep. Lucy left at 9 to go on a shopping expedition with friends. My mum and dad arrived at 20 past 11, having come the scenic route up the M1! Hopes of help around the house soon dissolved as it became apparent that out of their own environment, one has difficulty locating items due to loss of sight and the other nearly deaf. - Kept me on my toes with all the extra work involved!
Straight after lunch, they took me back to the Nuffield where I spent a short 20 minutes regaling the surgeon with my story of haematomas and wounds bursting open, to which he quickly brushed aside any sympathetic murmurings to tell me that he knew exactly what I was going to say before I said it. Apparently you are pumped full of heparim before the operation to reduce any chance of getting a thrombosis and this invariably causes a haematoma at the site of the wound as your blood temporarily forgets how to clot. (I'd read that on the the internet by then anyhow) Pity no one thought to either tell me or inspect the wound before I left to check and explain...
Thursday 1st June
Was taken shopping to Morrisons after lunch, then after a short time back at the ranch, we all 'hot footed' it to the Designer Outlet to see what bargains we could extract. I bought a nice top from M&S, wintery, not summery, but after an hour on my feet I was struggling to get back to the security and comfort of the car.
Friday 2nd June
After a long morning with lots to do on the website, we all went to Horsley Lodge for a spot of lunch. I can never work out whether you do get value for money there. The menu is full and varied, the surroundings very picturesque, but by the time you've moved three times to avoid getting boiled in the conservatory part of the restaurant and waited at least half an hour for your food, the novelty of having a meal out has worn off!
Monday 28th May
Bank Holiday, so free day for Graham, but oh, the weather! It poured all day as it did yesterday. Decided that a drop of rain would not prevent me in my quest for getting better and we walked 'our circuit'. Unfortunately, two and a half miles was way too far at less than two weeks post-op recovery.
Tuesday 29th
Ordinary day, but feeling the full effect of yesterday's trek. Managed some beading in bed while feeling sorry for myself. Did do some ironing for Graham's imminent trip.
Wednesday 30th
Got up at the crack of dawn to wish Graham 'bon voyage' (off to America again) and went back to bed and to sleep. Lucy left at 9 to go on a shopping expedition with friends. My mum and dad arrived at 20 past 11, having come the scenic route up the M1! Hopes of help around the house soon dissolved as it became apparent that out of their own environment, one has difficulty locating items due to loss of sight and the other nearly deaf. - Kept me on my toes with all the extra work involved!
Straight after lunch, they took me back to the Nuffield where I spent a short 20 minutes regaling the surgeon with my story of haematomas and wounds bursting open, to which he quickly brushed aside any sympathetic murmurings to tell me that he knew exactly what I was going to say before I said it. Apparently you are pumped full of heparim before the operation to reduce any chance of getting a thrombosis and this invariably causes a haematoma at the site of the wound as your blood temporarily forgets how to clot. (I'd read that on the the internet by then anyhow) Pity no one thought to either tell me or inspect the wound before I left to check and explain...
Thursday 1st June
Was taken shopping to Morrisons after lunch, then after a short time back at the ranch, we all 'hot footed' it to the Designer Outlet to see what bargains we could extract. I bought a nice top from M&S, wintery, not summery, but after an hour on my feet I was struggling to get back to the security and comfort of the car.
Friday 2nd June
After a long morning with lots to do on the website, we all went to Horsley Lodge for a spot of lunch. I can never work out whether you do get value for money there. The menu is full and varied, the surroundings very picturesque, but by the time you've moved three times to avoid getting boiled in the conservatory part of the restaurant and waited at least half an hour for your food, the novelty of having a meal out has worn off!
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