It is all about the hips

Hello friends,

Well the blog has gone from deep winter to mid summer - whoosh just like that...

Quick catch up;  I am just recovering from my third hip operation in twenty one months.  This operation has been on my left hip.  The previous two being on my right hip; a Dynamic Hip Screw, converted to a Long Stem Total Hip Replacement (THR).  The operation on my left hip has been slightly different and very quick.  I went for my annual review for my THR and the Physiotherispt’s were not happy with the size of my bones in the pelvis area.  I only live approximately fifteen minutes from the hospital and on the journey home I received a telephone call; asking me to come in the following day at 15:30 hours to see my consultant/surgeon.  My goodness and please remember this is completely NHS 100%.

I returned the following day, due to the timings, Poppy dropped me off and Noel was going to collect me when he had finished work.  The wonderful receptionist on the main desk of the hospital, who I see so regularly, offered to push me down to orthopaedics in my wheelchair - which meant we could have a good catch up.  But again completely over and above her duties - I love my hospital.

I ended up having a very long appointment with Mr Brooks - he spent such a long time checking me, checking my X-rays and repeating.  He really wanted to make sure what he was doing was correct...

The X-rays were showing such tiny eroded bones in my legs and a vey tiny hair line fracture just below my left hip.  The advice was do nothing, wait and see or operate.  I opted for the operation, which was the correct answer because Mr Brooks then went on to say, he could be over operating but if that hair line fracture did break and I do not need any trauma for my bones to break.  They just snap. It would be awful and very painful for me and a very difficult operation for the team.  His last words to me was I will see you in 10 days and do not walk - I do not want that bone to break.  Ohhh 😮 okay then!

Ten days later I was in surgery and can I kindly remind you (again) this is not private this is all NHS 💖 LOVE 💖 the NHS 💖

I have had a long Gamma Nail from my hip to my knee - this is not my x-ray but it gives you a very good idea what I have had done.

Mr Brooks stated that the hair line fracture may never break but he was completely vindicated in his thought process because three weeks after the operation, which was three weeks ago.  The hair line fracture did break.  It just broke; no trauma, falling, tripping, knocking - nothing it just snapped ☹️

I didn’t go to hospital because I knew what had happened and I had complete trust that the gamma nail would do its job.  Not to say I’d didn’t hurt because it did - a lot.  Morphine required!

I had a routine post operation physiotherapy appointment the following Tuesday; the physiothrepist was slightly confused 😆 because I was saying: lOOK - I can stand on one leg, I can bend my leg up to here and she was so pleased with all the exercises I had done but there I was saying I think my leg is fractured!  I think in the end she was like well why would you fib about this....

The quickest and best way to be seen was actually to be sent to ED (A&E), so that I could have an X-ray and been seen by an orthopaedic doctor.  My x-ray confirmed that ‘yes’ my leg had fractured.  However, as I thought nothing needed to be done as the gamma nail was keeping the fracture secure.

Again I had a follow up appointment already for the orthopaedic department for a week on Friday, already made - so I was discharged from ED as I had this appointment.  Well I thought I did; in fact the next day it was cancelled.  Mr Brooks had cancelled his whole clinic - so I am assuming he had something very important or very nice to do 😀 He is human this is perfectly acceptable in my mind.

As soon as I received my cancellation letter; I rung the department and very kindly explained my predicament and wow what service - I was fitted on to the end of the day before; Thursday clinic.  What amazing service - thank you 😊 At this appointment, I was shown all my X-rays- I love seeing what is inside of me.  I was told everything was doing very well despite the break, which was stable and would take approximately 12 weeks to heal and I would be seen in six weeks time.  Fabulous ....

I can now hobble around with just a little bit of grinding!!  Sleeping on the hip is still very sore and I have to do this swing motion to move in bed but really I am so pleased I opted for the operation.  Where would I be right now if I hadn’t - I hate to think.

The one thing that did surprise us as a family was the amount of bruising - thinking, this is my third hip operation, never had bruises like it.

The shin bruising is because of my whole leg being put into traction.  The bruising went round my ankle all the way to my toes.

How about that for colour...

There is another set of stitches on my hip too but I little bit high to show 🤭

I really hope to chat to you very soon - take care, Jacky xxx

Hannah

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my fifteen plus old Bearded Collie; Hannah went to 'forever' asleep.

She was amazing, everyone who ever met her - and there were a lot of people of the fifteen years, never once guessed her age.  But I am most proud about the fact, that new vets, that had never met her before also questioned the notes they had on their computers, in front of them!

I had have owned and loved several dogs but Hannah has been with me the longest.  We as a family met her at just three weeks.  I had wanted a Beardie since I was little – I just loved everything about them: how they looked and also they were wilful, oh so wilful!  I knew I would need hours and hours (and more hours) to train a Beardie properly.

Having moved to Swindon and working part time, I knew this was the time.  Because not only was I working part time but I was going to be able to take my future puppy to work with me.  I started the search process – I wanted a good bred dog, less likely to have genitive issues in the future.  I did my home, checking all the winners in Crufts over the years.  Narrowing, down Bearded Collie breeders around the country.  Getting in touch with Bearded Collie clubs; when this was done by telephone!  I eventually spoke to a lady called Belinda Steer, who put me in touch with the lady who I eventually bought my Beardie from.  Her name was Carol Palumbo and she lived in Brentwood in Essex – a 3 hour drive away.  I was serious about who and what my new puppy was going to be.

I was given a telephone interview about my prospects of becoming a Beardie owner.  I passed!  We were then invited to meet the 3 week old puppies.  However, the whole household had to visit.  If we had a lodger (we didn’t), everyone had to visit.  For my family it was Noel our then; 10 year old daughter, Poppy and myself travelled to Wentbridge. Little did we know it was another test: we were all invited into Carol’s conservatory and we were all looking at the puppies, contained in a huge playpen, when Carol released her other Beardies into the room.  She wanted to see how we reacted to a pack of very excited dogs.  Noel and I ignored them, until they settled down – no eye contact but it was Poppy who really passed the test for us – she was brilliant.  An 18 month old Beardie jumped up at her.  On dog on her back legs was as tall as Poppy.  However, Poppy was not concerned by this at all.  She caught the dogs front legs in her hands and with one clear decisive move; took the paws and let the dog down with a clear command of ‘off’, such a natural.

We had passed – yay.  And that was it for the first visit – not touching of puppies.

We travelled again to Wentbridge when the puppies were 5 weeks old and Carol had a better idea of the personalities of each of the puppies.  We are and were a reasonably quiet family but a fit and energetic family.  However, would you believe the best puppy for us, actually picked Noel.  This little puppy walked over to Noel crawled into his lap and fell fast asleep – it was a done deal.

She was now ours but we still had to wait another 2 weeks.  As it was back then; puppies left their mums at 7 weeks old.

Like you do preparing for a puppy is a bit like preparing for a baby, new crate, bed, toys, food bowls etc.

This puppy was my wedding present, birthday present and Christmas present all rolled into one; she was expensive at £500.00 (a fraction of the price of puppies now but in 2003 this was a lot of money).

We collected newspapers and I visited all the charity shops to buy as many towels as possible. Something that wasn’t done back then, you could pick up a bin liner full for just £5.00 but not anymore!  Already for our next journey back to Brentwood.

Our puppy was born on 4^th October 2003 and we were allowed to pick her up the weekend of my birthday at the end of November, we were all so very very excited.

We were going to call this puppy; Hannah an adaptation of my last name!

She did wonderfully well on the way home, she was sick a couple of times but we were able to clear the mess up quickly, with the newspapers, kitchen roll and bin liners.

Oh my goodness what a puppy she was – she was beautiful and a real pickle but so bright and took to clicker training so very well.

Oh I am feeling a bit emotional, not all bad but tears anyway – so I hope you don’t mind I am going to break this down into probably three parts.

Till the next time xx

A Year Ago

A year ago today - I became a Granny.  Such a proud time in my then 55 years of age!  If I had never joined the Granny Club; then that was okay with me.  However, my son and daughter-in-law allowed me to join that very prestigious club with my very own precious grandson; William.

Today the bestest grandson in the whole wide world (very biased opinion) is ONE xxx

We as a family love and treasure this little man - who very rarely  stops smiling. He is a chilled and easy going and a pickle!

We LOVE you so much xxx

Just a few hours old and I am having my first cuddle,

 where he stole my heart.

Babies grow so fast!

And intrigued by everything.

Before Daddy could even open the

 packaging for the balls, he was in!

Sharing the LOVE, Jacky xxx

A Box - A Big Box

Oh the excitement!  The box actually arrived yesterday, while at hospital but I had arranged for my lovely neighbour to take care of this box, containing a very special order.  Noel collected the box after we had been to the pantomime - it was late, so I choose to open it this morning.  How I held out, I don't know - it took a lot of willpower.

The story began with Opal Yarn not doing making an advent calender for 2018.  I have been very lucky as Noel bought me one in 2016 and 2017.  The advent calender contained little 10g balls of wool - 24 days of little balls of wool to hold and stroke my cheek with (oh does that sound weird? Maybe, only a yarn lover would understand!  So back in September of last year (now that does seem weird to type that!!) Noel and I found out that Opal were not doing a 2018 one - Nooo.  

Noel had a secret - he made me a box; not his finest piece of engineering but not his worst either (his words, not mine).  That is a whole new story that I may never tell!  But he made a box and with the help of Poppy, he ordered 24 x 2 of each chosen colour of Drops Nepal yarn.  Such a beautiful, well spun, soft yarn.  I will repeat 48 balls of yarn.  A door to open everyday of advent for Christmas.  With the top hole hiding a skein of lace weight, Bluefaced Leicester and silk yarn from Fyberspates which I opened on Christmas day - beautiful purples with a tiny hint of pink.  So me.

I have ordered some base colours from the same Drops range, so that I can make two fair isle inspired cardigans.

The box also included nearly the rest of the colours in the range, so that I can do gradient colour design work on my cardigan(s) plus a pack of Attic24; original yarn pack to crochet a Summer Harmony Blanket - this pack was a birthday present from my sister, lucky lady; when my family knows what puts a massive smile on my face xx

My 2018 Wool Advent Calender with 25 doors to open!

The very big heavy box containing so much squidgyness.

The two base colours; cream and a deep teal.

Woolware House loose yarn gets packed in

 organza bags - a very nice touch.

I will take more photographs, when there is better light and as I start each project.  Remember I am a starter and not quite so good/fast at the finishing!!

Jacky xx

He’s behind you! A very English Tradition

This morning; Noel and I left for Oxford or more importantly Churchill Hospital.  I had my six monthly review at the Respiratory Clinic.  I saw a new consultant today!  He smiled but he is an academic who has practised his - smile to patient ‘smile’.  He liked to talk about my medication by using the pharmaceutical names, not the names that our local pharmacy, GP or I know them as ... my respect dropped a bit.  He then went on to say: my use of the inhaler was in correct.  For goodness sake I use a full mask aero chamber - really hard to get wrong!  And he liked this by the book i.e. not to use my nebuliser at home.  Sadly this is because a few people have been irresponsible with their own lives and instead of going into hospital have over self medicated, using a home nebuliser.  I tried to explain, that I want to LIVE and that I will not take chances. I also tried to explain about why I do not use an ambulance (most of the time).  It can take 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive but it will take Noel and 12-15 minutes in the car.  But he said the ambulance has oxygen - yes it may do but I have to wait up to 45 minutes, where if I get there by car, I am having the full treatment in 20 minutes. I left his office feeling as if I had been tripped up, really not a nice feeling.  So I asked to have a chat with my respiratory nurse at the clinic and we had a good positive conversation.  She was disappointed that the consultant had not ‘got’ me.  She said that some one with such a severe asthma as mine and that I am still living - I therefore most be doing something right and that ‘going by the book’ doesn’t always fit.  And I am one of those sensible and responsible patients, that does not take risks.  She made me feel better about how I cope with my illness and told me how much she enjoys seeing me.

However, on the plus plus side, I only have to visit Oxford once a year and probably in John Radcliffe Hospital as the department was moving.  So just as well I had planned to show you this hospital.  I love it - it is old but, I like to think of all those patients before me ......

The History of the Churchill Hospital - Wikipedia 

The original hospital on the site was built in 1940 with the intention of providing medical aid to people suffering orthopaedic injuries as a result of air raids during the Second World War,  This proved unnecessary, and the building was leased to the United Stated Army medical services, who were relocating from Basingstoke.  The new American Hospital was named after Sir Winston Churchill, the then Prime Minister, and was opened by the Duchess of Kent on 27 January 1942.

The US Army left the hospital at the end of the war and itwas taken over by the local council and reopened as a conventional hospital in January 1946.  The Churchill Hospital came under common management with the John Radcliffe Hospital in April 1991 and with the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in November 2011.  New cancer treatment facilities were procured under a Private Finance Initiative contract in 2005.  The new facility, which was built by a joint venture of Alfred McAlpine and Impregilo at a cost of £125 million, opened in 2009.

I took these photographs today; showing the history of the building and that spring is coming.

No proper doors at the rear entrance.

The original metal framed windows.

One of the many little green gardens

between what would have been the wards.

The long slopping corridor.

My entrance.

And spring has come early due to the slightly

 warmer weather we have been having.

To finish our last non working day of the christmas holidays; we: Noel, Poppy, Mac (Poppy’s friend from school days) and myself (which shows just how well I am doing, by being able  to go to the theatre - with all those germs!) went to see the Pantomine - Aladdin at the Wyvern Theatre - such good fun.  

In fact the sillier and the more you interact with the cast, the more fun you have - 'Boooo' and 'He’s Behind You' with competitive singing and actions from all generations and practically the whole theater: singing the Little Shark song.  So funny, and wonderful to see and hear everyone singing and dancing in their chairs.  

Till the next time, Jacky xx

Happy New Year - 2019

New year, new beginnings, a new page - a journey!  Do you have plans?  Big plans?  I like to take one stepping stone at a time - let us see where it all leads me; exciting, promising, positive...

                                                        

Sunday Slumber

HaHa - I wish!

It is 4pm and I have just got washed and dressed but I haven’t been doing nothing - oh no!

In the last month I have been slowly tidying our study, to give us or probably more me, as I work from home - a calm, quiet environment to work from.  That is what I have been doing today.

There is a wall of plastic storage boxes; filled with: fabric, yarn and craft supplies.  There are boxes and boxes and believe me, I still have so much more!  I already had a lot of craft ‘stuff’ before I brought my Sewing and Craft School home.  But there really is no regrets - even though Noel and I have lived in a real pickle for over two years.  I love working from home.

Now so much better being five months on from my second left hip operation.  I am only really dealing with my lungs / asthma, with just the odd niggle from my hip and femur.  I have been able to think more clearly - can't over emphasis how having a clearer not so morphine foggy brain - is just wonderful, so much clarity.

So not only have I been doing a little bit of tidying each week, I have been really working hard on my digital footprint for my school.  My goodness is that, so paying off - well beyond my dreams.  I believe yet again (how could I possible think I wouldn’t be) looked after and given just enough work that I can cope with.  I am so very grateful for ‘being’ looked after by that very special ‘being’ above and my family.  I don't want to forget to give Noel a very special mention; so not only has he been working on my meta data for my website.  He is still very much doing the cooking and housework!  Remember he works full time with an hour commute each way to work and back but BUT he would prefer that I use what energy I do have, to fill fulfilled and not just use my limited resources on doing housework - one lucky and fortunate wife.  

I am trying to do a little bit of cooking and last week, Poppy and I went shopping.  Due to my lungs, I can only walk very short distances and carrying anything is just impossible but please believe me; I am not complaining just explaining.   We have costume making to do this coming week - watch this space - the costumes have to be completed; for the Autumn Half Term festival session.

This photograph (photographer unknown) was taken in the mist on Southampton Water last month - fabulous photo of a tall ship - just fabulous.

Chat soon xx

Autumn Equinox

22nd September 2018

I did have some profound words to write about the Autumn Equinox but who know what 😂 

Chicken Tree

I love trees - I like the the story they tell; moving through the seasons.  Spring; the tight buds appearing and the clean, bright, light green leaves.  Blossoms and delicate petals, ready to grow into fruit or seeds to scatter later in the trees life.  Summer;  the fullness, the privacy and shade or shelter that trees give to us during light rain showers or blazing sunshine.  The time to rub the bark and spread your arms around the trunk, wondering if the past Kings of England had touched this very same tree!  Autumn; the colour - the amazing colours; reds, oranges, yellows and rusty browns.  The crispness as those leaves drop off onto the ground and then the child like activity of kicking up and through all those fallen leaves.   Collecting fruit, chestnuts, walnuts and conkers - to polish within our mitten hands.  And then winter, the trees showing their bare branches in all their glory, beautiful silky spiders webs made expertiersly between little twigs or the spookyness in the dark with owls moving quitetly from tree to tree, watching mice scurrying between the roots, looking for acorns and fallen berries.  While I am trying to find the last of the pine cones ready to dress the fire mantel for Yule time.

Then there is the trees’ after life - the felling, the chopping ready for the timber yard.  All those age rings and knots giving  the timber its personality. Being bought to be made into - what?  Boats, houses, furniture, paper and so much more.  The smell of the wood, wood shavings and off cuts for burning in the log burner with any fallen and chopped up branches.

My favorite tree is the majestic and at the same time witchy tree; The Beech Tree.  The smooth bark, how beech trees were grown in circles on hills.  The pink of the seasoned timber, so smooth when plained and lightly waxed - beautiful.

Sadly we have had to cut down two trees in our garden this year - they had grown far to big for our little garden and for the houses around.  However, as the garden slowly gets reinvented - we will be planting new smaller trees - for their additional height over other plants, their beautiful colour and privacy.

In our village; either on the way out or as we are coming home - we have an amazing tree.  I can honestly say, practically the whole village loves this tree.  How the wind; up and down the hilly fields have shaped this tree ....  please let me have the honour of introducing our ‘Chicken Tree’ ....

Beautiful isn’t she?  Do you have a special tree in your life?  Take care, till we meet again. xx

Sunday Crafts

I have been sewing a poofy petticoat today for a young dancer.  Still have a bit to do but I am having to be sensible about how much time I am sitting at the sewing machine.  I have a ‘very’ sore left shoulder / neck muscle, added to the costochondritis; from breathing so hard, due to the weather changes.  Extra pain seems to have returned for a while....

So this afternoon was spent sock knitting and watching the DVD; The Accountant - I have really enjoyed this film and I also managed to do quite a few repeats which was pleasing.

Really this poster should read weekdays and not just weekends but still very true  😉 luckily for me, Noel had made a lovely Lamb Tangine in the slow cooker, served with boiled potatoes and peas.

What have you been up to this weekend, did someone cook you dinner too?  Take care xx

New Acadamic Year

With a new school programme - so very excited for the new acadamic year 2018-19.  Take a look, make a choice and I will hope to see you very soon in my fun, relaxed and best learning environment you could want ...

Sewing and Craft School - Programme

Anniversary

A crystal or crystalline solid is a solid material whose constituents are arranged in a highly ordered microscopic structure, forming a crystal lattice that extends in all directions.

We are celebrating 15 years of marriage - our crystal anniversary, these roses are colours of our wedding.  Lovely memories of a wonderful day with my new husband, family, friends and ice-cream.

Buzzing

Hello, 

Wow what an exciting day! Firstly had a visit from Martha and her mum Emma.  This visit was to measure Martha for a new tutu.  Then I had a visit from Phoebe and Lily and their Nanny.  The girls want to learn to sew - so two new ‘little people’ students.  Then Nic - who had messaged me during the night a week ago.  I just happened to be awake, so we discussed all about dressmaking lessons and she came to her first lesson this evening.  I had another lady; Gina who has paid, to confirm her dressmaking.  Plus I am just emailing a lady about machine quilting.  And I have yet to upload my new programme for September 2018.  Exciting times ....

www.sewingandcraftschool.co.uk

Small Achievements

A tired day - the change in weather pressure makes my breathing hard going - so today was all about pacing myself in a slow comfortable way.  But that hasn’t stopped me from smiling ...

What was a very good start, I have some very pretty silver bracelets but have not been able to wear them for over a year as my body has been so fat and bloated from all the high amounts of steroids I have been taking but due to being able to reduce the high dosage.  I have lost some weight and bloating.  I was so pleased when they fitted this morning.

I was teaching dressmaking this morning, even though it was hard to get out of bed, I do so love teaching, the conversation and company.  I LOVE my job!  After the lesson had finished I set about overlocking all the seams I had tacked on a black dress I am making.  I had cut this dress out last week and then was informed that black wasn't being worn but there seems to have been a change of mind.  So I need to crack on with getting the dress made.

This afternoon, when the tiredness really kicked in, I sat in the lounge and continued crocheting my Cupcake Blanket, designed by Lucy at Attic24.  I have crocheted 30 stripes, 60 rows pretty rows.  A third of the blanket, not including the border.  I am loving the colours.

And my final little achievement of the day; every other month I have a little book called ‘Inspiring Women’ delivered to my home.  It is bible study notes, written by women for women.  I have used these little books for quite a number of years and find most of the monthly courses just as it is titled inspiring.  However, when  the July/August edition arrived, I filed it in a very safe place and have subsequently missed a whole month of study.  But I made a concerted effort to look for the book this morning and I was so chuffed when I found it in the middle of lots of sewing ‘stuff’!  Tomorrow is the first of the month and I can start a fresh.

Lots of little things that have made me smile today.  What has made you smile?

Take care of yourselves xx

Lots of emotion

Well that month disappeared - puff and it was gone!  We have had three very poorly people all being admitted into hospital, 3 different hospitals too.  It has been horrid and scary and also very sad.  We have a funeral to attend on Friday; with a wake and flowers and chats to the priest, life has been slightly more busy than usual.  The coming together as a family, supporting each other and generally being there for each other has got us through.  It hasn’t all been sad - when there is a six month old grandson to entertain - living has to go on and what a gem he is 💙

We have had more cherries than ever before and even better, we managed to beat picking them before our resident blackbird got them!  They taste wonderful - these little things help to make us smile too.

Sleeping Ski

Yesterday’s full moon ... beautiful ...

A busy day today!  Hannah has all been clipped and groomed - she will feel so much more comfortable, now that she has had lots of fur chopped off.  I tried to bribe her with (dog) biscuits, so that she would let me take a lovely photo of her all clean and pretty.  The clever girl kept taking the biscuits and disappearing - I will try again tomorrow.

Next, I had an appointment at The Great Western Hospital with an oral consultant, a new one to me.  Mr Allen who was such a lovely man, retired a few months ago, so this must be one of his replacements.  He was very nice and very informative and answered some questions that I was much braver this time to ask about.  I have to go back in 4 months, which was a bit of a surprise but I am aware my mouth feels very sore to my tongue but thankfully because of the steroids I take, I cant actually feel much.

Poppy, is my chauffeur today!  We then zoomed between J15 - J16 of the M4, to collected Hannah from the groomers.  We also bought dog food and cat litter, a very important combo.

We then dropped Hannah off at home and went back to Wyevale, which is where the pet shop and groomers is based.  I wanted to go to the quilting shop - oh my goodness I fell in LOVE with two lots of fat quarters.  I have forgotten to take photos and I am up stairs in bed now - so I will take some pictures tomorrow.

Then we dropped into Barclays Bank, I had £44.00 of old £10, £5 notes and £4 worth of old pound coins, which got paid into my bank account - which helped to go towards all the fabric I had just purchased!!

Then the treat of the day, Poppy drove us to Old Town (Swindon) to the Baguette Bar, where we both a very scrumptious coronation chicken and tomato baguette each,

Home to eat our lunch and then we sat down and watched the first episode of the second series of The Handmaiden Tales drama on I have recorded.

At this point Poppy went off to work and I got equipment and techniques ready to teach.

A bit of a full on day for me - extremely tired but not quite in the same amount of pain having had 10ml of morphine!!

A very tired but chilled Ski ...

This made my day

Our local Parish Council has a Facebook presence.  Yesterday I noticed a post; asking for submissions of photographs, so that the parish council administration team could up date the Facebook cover photo.  A very serious and incredibly talented photographer submitted two very good photos.  One I thought was maybe a little bit busy but the other photo I believed was spot on.  However, I decided to chance my luck!  My photo was taken on my phone, while Noel was driving at approximately 50 mph along the A4361. We had come up the hill and out of the village, travelling towards Avebury, just past the Broad Hinton turn off - when the yellow of the Rape Seed Oil fields just ‘sung’ out against the hazy blue sky.  And yes you have guessed correctly my photo was picked.  It will be upload tomorrow, while also giving me the credit.  Now - picture me with the biggest smile possible.