March 2010

01.03.10: Usual busy Monday. Took Graham to station to catch 2.30pm train to Plymouth. He left with a cheery wave and made the comment that although he would be 5 hours away (that would normally have been two thirds of the way to America) he would still be in the same time zone!

02.03.10: Have had an infection in my big toe for a week now and since Friday it has worsened considerably. Decided this morning that I really would have to take it to the doctors. I feel so annoyed to be 'floored' by such a small thing. At least there was no quibble this time; I was prescribed 5 days of penicillin, 500mg four times a day.

I still went to tap class as I needed to get out and we are doing a demonstration on Saturday for 'Women's Day' and needed the practice. Unfortunately my toe was too swollen to fit in my shoes, so danced in my boots (please don't laugh). It was a bit like a bad dream when you find you've gone somewhere and can't find the shoes you wanted.

03.03.10: Over a week a go I booked to see the doctor, so as always happens, I end up going on two consecutive days. Reasonable result, I am to be referred back to the pain clinic for the acupuncture I think will help and for physiotherapy to help strengthen my stomach muscles. I am not to be referred for a bone density test for although I have never drunk milk in any amounts, butter infrequently, cheese and cream never or only by mistake, I am not deemed to be at risk of osteoporosis as there is no history of it in my family...

04.03.10: Another celebration of Graham's 52nd birthday. We went to The Spotted Cow at Holbrook for a delicious carvery together with Kev (made redundant just before Graham but has now secured a new job) and Sally and Al (still at Delta Rail, but not happy) and Jan, who had us in hysterics all evening, especially with the tale about Al's 'Great Medieval Story' and the size of Merlin's sword...

05.03.10: Jewellery Class would have gone well except the person who came before half term to observe my class and decided after an hour that she couldn't observe it because there were only 4 learners that day, came back...Collected Lucy from the station and hobbled to Boots and back for pain killers. Having an infection in my toe has meant having to wear different shoes, I have now injured my foot and can't put any weight on it. Spent £40 on new pair of shoes that don't hurt my toe.

06.03.10: Was determined to do the Tap Demonstration for Women's Day, but as I still couldn't walk (or put my tap shoe on), this proved impossible... Spent rest of the day feeling very sorry for myself.

07.03.10: Bright sunny day. Felt like a prisoner, so planned an escape by car and went out to locate a school I'll be teaching at next Saturday. Lucy came with me, which was lucky as she knows the area!

08.03.10: Woke up this morning and was able to put weight on foot with care, hooray! Spent morning wrapping up two magazines I'd sold on eBay and taking them to post. Met Philippa at The Coopers Arms for lunch and long chinwag. Then we went to Village Centre for meeting with a SWOT team. Have since learned that SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats - all in a day's work...Gave my Line Manager a lift home as her car in garage for suspected major operation.

09.03.10: Went to tap as managed to fit foot in shoe - although still very painful.

12.03.10: Jewellery Class, all as planned. Came home to very welcome cooked meal, thanks to Graham. (May need to help him expand repertoire). Collected Lucy from station and went for a full 2 hour shop - we were even given a free car park ticket by someone who was leaving.

Robert finally arrived just before 11.00pm exhausted from his 3 and a half hour drive from Salisbury.

13.03.10: Up early and off to a 'Fun Day' at Ironville school making button jewellery with adults and children. Came home to another cooked meal, many thanks to Lucy. Suggested we have a trip to Buxton, but by the time we got there it was overcast and freezing cold. We should have learned from last time... Home to 'Chinese' and a film.

14.03.10: Mother's Day. I have trouble with days like this as I always find myself in denial that anyone should want to buy me anything 'in appreciation'. Consequently I am unable to accept gifts graciously. I did however receive two bunches of flowers, one very pretty (petite) orchid and three carefully chosen cards. So if I didn't say 'thank-you' properly, I will now say it again, thank you, I loved them all...

15.03.10: First job of the morning was to order some mirrored acrylic for Lucy's university project. Went to doctors at 4pm and was prescribed a second course of penicillin, this time for 10 days instead of 5. Was concerned that I was given the same capsules when the first lot don't seem to have helped.

17.03.10: Up early and off the Long Eaton Library to take a workshop on Napkin Decoupage on a terracotta pot. Was disappointed that no one turned up, although I did make friends with the librarian who owns a 5x4 plate camera and a new Line Manager called Carol. Went to The Beetroot Tree on my way home and saw a really lovely exhibition on the written word. The quality of some engraving on stone was superb. Wish I had a spare £1000 to spend... Was realised an ambition to photograph the local mill. An amazing red brick mill now standing empty. The weather wasn't perfect, so may revisit when conditions are better.

19.03.10: Graham went off to America at the crack of dawn. It seems strange that less than two months after being encouraged to take 'early retirement' he is back in the US as though nothing has changed. Good Jewellery class followed by appraisal of recent OLT. Was awarded a Grade 2 and a very thorough and complimentary write up. Wonder I need to do to get a Grade 1.

Collected Lucy from the station and eventually arrived home from shopping around 7.30pm.

20.03.10: Bad weather day, only just brightened by a trip to Lichfield to buy some beads. Highlight of the day was the purchase of a Viennese Whirl, I'd forgotten how much I love them. Bought a new phone from Argos ( as the answerphone is very temperamental) and called in at Currys on the way home and bought a new kettle as the old one is disintegrating.

21.03.10: Spent the morning making up jewellery for Lucy's project - a true labour of love. In the afternoon we popped to Wingfield Manor to have a walk round and take some photos. Toe showing some improvement - wore my old shoes for the first time in nearly a month!

22.03.10: Appointment at doctors to seek some reassurance that my toe will get better. Doctor quite dismissive and suggested I go to a chiropodist. Only just back in time for piano lesson with lady who comes all the way from Belper by bus.

24.03.10: Second workshop at Long Eaton, 5 turned up which was better than last week. Chose Iris Folding technique with Tulip and Chick. Was surprised that they had no idea why it's called Iris folding - one helpfully suggested it had something to do with an Iris flower, 'nil point' my dear...

25.03.10: Trip to NEC to Hobbycrafts Show. Spent most of the time with Chris discussing knitted related things. Was interesting to meet with Pat the Crafts coordinator of the WI and sound out ideas for the next competition. No further details here, but will be announced in the August newsletter. Long day, finally home at 6.30pm, with wallet a little lighter...

26.03.10: Had be informed that PAT testing would be done at the Centre where I teach - this being the last class of term. Was thrilled to find that after working for adult education for 14 years, I was finally in the right place at the right time. If only the chap had turned up!

Graham home from America. For the first time ever, he was seriously late only landing at 10.00am instead of 6.00am. Had cooked dinner for me when I arrived back from teaching which was lovely. Collected Lucy together and we all went shopping. Graham lasted about an hour and then had to retire to the car.

27.03.10: Planned to go down and see parents for the week-end. Graham suggested that if I was to have a new camera, I should have it before we go away to Wales to photograph Lucy's collection at Portmeirion. So off we went to the London Camera Exchange... The camera is beautiful, a brand new Canon Eos 550D. Lucy and I went when we were ready - about 12.00pm and Graham was following on once he'd done a few things in the garden. Lucy and I stopped off at the Craft Centre just off the A38. Meals were really good and not expensive. I had pan fried salmon fillet with salad and Lucy scampi and chips. Finally arrived after two more stops (one at garden centre for basket of flowers and the other at Tescos) at 4.30pm. Went for a long walk with Robert who had come up from Salisbury to see us.

28.03.10: Summer Time with clocks going forward. Set off to go and see Graham's mother just before 11.00am and arrived before 12.30pm. Took her out to lunch at a quiet local pub. Food OK, but wouldn't win any prizes. Had decided to visit a nearby windmill afterwards, but due to unforeseen circumstances, (lorry unloading wood blocking road) took us longer to get to than anticipated. Left about 4.15 and then Lucy and I left my parents for home about 6.15pm.

29.01.10: The reason we had gone to my parents separately was because Graham had arranged to see someone to do with his new job near Cirencester on Monday morning. I didn't want to stay over as I had a piano lesson and didn't want to cancel it. Of course the lady rang early on Monday to say she couldn't make it... Sent off for findings for Thursday's workshop. Graham home by 3.30pm. Three piano lessons today.

30.03.10: Chap came to give us a quote about a new boiler. We were hoping to take advantage of the new boiler scrapage scheme, but of course this has now ceased! Took Graham to the station to catch the 2.30pm train to Plymouth. Four piano lessons today and then tap class.

31.03.10: Quote of the day from my 'new' piano pupil: "Playing the piano has given me a new dimension of happiness". Tutor meeting 4.00pm-6.00pm and then two further piano lessons 6.30pm-7.30pm.