IN BRIEF

Monday 7th May

Bank Holiday, but more or less a work day here. Was a relief not to have a class to teach. Lucy working hard towards Textile deadline at end of the week, but was easily swayed by friend to go (a) shopping and (b) spend lots of money. Perhaps I am jealous...
Sun came out late afternoon so had a drive out to Alport Heights. Glad of the break and change of scenery and the fact that Classic FM was playing the top 100 film tunes. (Think I missed 50 of them) Richard E Grant was co-hosting the programme, which made a welcome change and was surprisingly knowledgeable. Great to hear insight on how a composer approaches the task of writing film music. Lucky that my new phone has a radio and felt privileged to be able to take photos and listen to my favourite music.

Tuesday 8th

Back to school day

Wednesday 9th

Had a letter from the Nuffield and 'welcome' pack setting out all the scary things that can go wrong with the op. Also included was a demand for the money it will cost 'to be paid 7 days before the first day of treatment' - Hang on a minute, I've only got 6 days left. Phoned up and offered credit card details, which seems all wrong, paying for something to make you better on the same bill as the car service!
Went to town to put cheques in and have quick walk round. Then on to Banks Mill Studios to see Rachel and Natalie who are jewellers and have studios there. I've organised a trip there next Monday for my jewellery class to see exactly what a real jeweller does. I think it will be very interesting for them to see people who work with precious metals. Both were extremely welcoming and happy to talk about what they do. It's a long time since I've done any enamelling or silversmithing, but it bought the memories, seeing all the tools, annealing torches, pickling baths, drawing machines etc. Talking through some work Natalie had seen gave me a really good idea to do some innovative designing myself.
All the things I'll be able to do when I'm mended...

Thursday 10th

Had an appointment to have my hair trimmed just before 1.00pm and collected Graham's diabetic prescription on the way. As I don't know when I'll be able to drive again thought it good to get these little jobs done this week. I can't say I find having my hair cut enjoyable, but most of the trauma has now gone and I can look forward to a neat edge and my hair feeling a little thicker when I wash it.
Rest of afternoon very busy on website.

Friday 11th

Bit late setting off as having to iron the clothes Lucy helped me wash last night. Such is life at the moment, no food (I'm exaggerating a bit), no clean clothes, untidy house... the list goes on.
Line Manager a bit 'off' with me: "When do you think you'll be back?" - he was thinking of getting someone to cover me, but had left it too late to arrange anything before my students went home. Had to say I'd be back after half term, but feel I'm under pressure to return however I feel. Everyone gets time off work to recover it seems, except me! (Sorry about the whinge) A week off the website would be so good, but the work will just 'back up' if I don't keep on top of it.
Felt exhausted by the time I got home and even an hour's sleep later didn't rejuvenate me. Lucy did help with tidying up and a bit of hoovering, that was until she went out...