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