End of term and Tim's operation

Well firstly my second placement is over and done with, got a great placement report too, so very happy. My assignment is posted and that's all the work I need to do until after christmas.

Tim had his operation yesterday, so he's in hospital recovering with an epidural for pain relief, no idea when he'll be coming home, but as his epidural is still in place today I don't think it will be tomorrow as initially thought possible. He's got a huge cast round his foot which is having to be redone today as he's got a wrinkle in it. No idea what his hip looks like where they took the bone slither to wedge in his foot from. They have managed to take enough out for both feet, so as long as the freezer doesn't break down before the other foot is done he'll only have to have that bit once, which is great as that's actually the bit that hurts more.

The hospital doesn't usually allow children under 12 to visit, but the ward sister has agreed this morning to a short visit from Caitlin this afternoon. She was so upset yesterday when we'd told her she couldn't visit her Daddy, so today she is bouncing about going in. I've got a new story for Daddy to read to her and she's getting the riot act about being good before we go in and we'll keep it short. But I think both Caitlin and Tim will benefit from a visit.

I passed!!!

First driving test and I got 5 minor faults, so I'm now a holder of a full automatic licence. Tim contacted the insurance company and updated my details, so after lunch I'm off to scare Tim in the car. I figure after some lunch I might just have stopped bouncing and be safer in the car.

Halloween

We carved pumpkins at the weekend Tim did one and Caitlin and I the other one (ours is the one on the left), she's very good at scrapping out the pumpkin. We put both pumpkins out, but unfortunately someone decided Tim's was so good that they decided to take it. Caitlin seemed to enjoy halloween, we didn't take her trick or treating, but instead every time trick or treaters came to the door, she was allowed to add a treat to her dish of treats. She was all dressed up as a witch, complete with a witch's broomstick from her grandma and grandad. Tim had to deal with most of it as I had a driving lesson. But here's some piccies of our little witch.

Long time, no post

Well finally things are improving, I got taken off one medication and after a week put on a different one and the change has been phenomenal! I feel human again, the headaches and migraine are receeding fast and I can use the computer again for more than 5 minutes at a time, very happy bunny.

I have just finished my placement today and I've passed the practical element, in fact got much better result than I expected, so I'm delighted. I've been given an extension to the written component which was due tomorrow, due to the health problems and not being able to use computer enough for research and writing the assignemnet itself. Although I can see myself in intermediate care long term I have enjoyed the placement and the team have been lovely and supportive and made me feel one of the team, I'll miss them.

This weekend we went to Tim's parents and Kirsty from Kaptured by Kirsty took pictures of the whole family as their 40th wedding anniversary present. There's some amazing pictures in there, we're going to go for a DVD of all the picture and 30 proofed photos, we just need to negotiate as a family which ones to get proofed. I love some ones of me on my own that Kirsty has taken and there's some beautiful pictures of Caitlin, who was definately the star of the show. Most importantly though Tim's parents are over the moon with the results, they've got some fab pictures of their family, all of whom are usual camera shy! Thoroughly recommend Kirsty to anyone!

I've struggled for many years with depression of various sorts, before Caitlin was born I was told it was SAD (seasonal affected disorder) and that a winter sun break would make all the difference, unfortunately not available on the NHS, I did ask tongue in cheek. After Caitlin was born I had PND although it took me quite a while to accept it. I guess I ticked so many of the at risk boxes that I should have been more prepared for it. Between Tim's job moving us away from friends and my brothers, coping with a 5 month old baby through the week on my own while he worked in Sheffield for a while and then the stress of moving and then buying a house and moving again, all by the time Caitlin was little more than a year old didn't help. But it was easier to say I was stressed and tired than accept that after the joy of our miracle baby I was so so miserable until I reached such a point I had to face it head on.

I know I am a stressed person, I get anxious very quickly and have major issues with self confidence and I find it difficult to mix in social situations, all of which made the move from Edinburgh 2 years ago so difficult. Tim always is telling me not to worry and stress so much, but I don't know how not to. I do wonder if all the drinking through my teenage years when all these social skills were developing effected this, when I was scared or anxious I just drank a bit more until my inhibitions and fears receeded. But now as a sober adult how do I cope with all these feelings?

My problem is working out when my stress levels, nerves and crippling self doubt change over into depression sometimes it can be a fine line. At the moment with the high blood pressure, the headaches it causes and my memory being permanently shot to pieces it gets me down as I feel so crap. I wish there was a magic pill to take it all away.

Creativity

Well been very tired and very worn out, had loads of headaches and migraines and finding my placement very stressful. Although I'm passing my placement at the halfway stage, which is good news, the intermediate care setting is not for me.

It feels like all my creativity is drained out of me, I've not done much craft at all in the last few weeks, between lack of time, tiredness and headaches, so I'm very chuffed that I've made one necklace this weekend while Tim and Caitlin have been at his parents. The pendant is blueberry stone.

Third time luckyish

Third time lucky Caitlin and I finally managed to make the body of her piggie moneybox with papier mache. The first two the balloon burst part way through covering Caitlin and I with watered down PVA glue! Tim was duely despatched for a new bag of balloons from the supermarket. The third one didn't burst but overnight has deflated slightly while it's been drying leaving a slightly crinkly body, but never mind it will do the job. Caitlin did enjoy getting the paper all wet and sticking it down, she had far more patience than I expected. Just need to let the whole thing dry out now and then We can stick the legs and nose on and paint it. Will probably be next weekend now.

Good and bad

Good news my blood tests were all normal so I just have high blood pressure, with no underlying cause. So I can now have medication to bring it down and hopefully cut the migraines back. The bad news, the migraines and headaches have been awful over the last fortnight. My placement is more stressful and not as supportive as my last one, so that's put my blood pressure up and made me worse short term. I've started my medication and hopefully things will improve in the next week or so and the dizziness and very red cheeks will fade.

In the meantime the house looks like a bombs hit it as I've done so little housework. Tim was rushed off his feet with an important deadline last week, he was working on saturday and he's shattered too, although he's trying his best this week to catch up.

At least Caitlin is ok, if a little grumpy in the mornings, she's almost used to the early starts again though and getting back into the swing of nursery 5 days a week. Although she seem to be trying altered art at the moment, she's 'altered' her t-shirt, a drawer unit at nursery and herself almost every day this week with a combination of paint and pens. Why oh why don't they have washable pens and paint?!!

Oh and I have a date for my practical test 3rd November!

Tired

Hmm perhaps not a good idea to have a 2 hour driving lesson on the second day of my placement. So tired and making stupid mistakes in lesson. I guess I am getting there slowly, I'm just impatient and want to be ready for my practical test now!

Placement is going ok so far, the team is nice, but I still feel like a fish out of water. Everything is very confusing and there's so many names and faces. It feels like there's so much to learn and so little time. Six weeks isn't very long which makes it even more important to find my feet quickly. My educator is very overworked due to another member of staff being on maternity leave and also has a new basic grade started the week before me. I may get to do my first initial interview with my educator tomorrow. I'm hoping to start doing more and be able to play a more active role soon and feel like I can contribute more.

5 years on

My thoughts and prayers today are with all those who lost friends and loved ones 5 years ago. I will never forget seeing the second plane crash into the towers and seeing both towers collapse. Although I was at work that day I was having a test in the corner of the canteen for something. The television was on and when I got there the first plane had not long hit the tower, we all were stood there watching in total silence as the second plane hit, until the first tower collapsed when there was a collective gasp of horror.

One of Tim's old uni friends worked for Merrill Lynch in the Twin Towers, amazingly he was off work because a roller blader had knocked him flying the previous day and he was off work sick. That roller blader may have saved his life. Who'd have though a roller blader would be your guardian angel?

Tim's work

For those of you who I have tried to explain to, this is what has been keeping Tim so busy - template based authoring
Have to admit I'll be glad when he stops working quite so hard though!

Katy's christening part 2

Some more pictures from the book

Katy's book

Have finally got Katy's christening book posted to her mum before they go back to New Zealand. Here's a few pages from it. She is such a beautiful baby.

Guess who's a year rep?

Yup me. I volunteered myself and I am now elected one of the reps for the 2nd year OTs. I got fed up with getting messed about and the year reps did their best, but none of them were parents and really could address the issues some of us had. Any how this year I feel a bit more prepared for University and the demands there may be, so think I have the time to do it. It won't go amiss on my CV and when the tutors are writing our references in 3rd year and in a competitive job market every little helps.

End of the Summer

I can't believe how quick my summer break has gone, tomorrow is my last day of freedom before my second year starts. I had such good plans for what I'd get done this summer and it hasn't happened, for various reasons. I still have an attic full of unsorted craft stash and a cellar where I've not looked in one of the boxes. But I did start my driving lesson and pass my theory test and I have been making jewellery which hopefully I'll get round to selling at some point.

I guess I have also had a chance to recharge my batteries for the next year and to spend a precious last long summer with Caitlin. Next year I will have to work to get some upto date work experience on my CV even if it is just care work with the elderly or disabled people and the following year all being well I hope to be working as a fully qualified Occupational Therapist (or Octopus thera-pest as Caitlin calls it). This year the actual marks I get become far more important too as it may affect my final degree classification. This will either be 100% of 3rd year marks or 25% 2nd year and 75% third year marks whichever is higher. So in case I fluff 3rd year it's important to keep the marks up this year. So more nose to the grindstone, no social life, even if I could afford it and precious little craft time. After all Caitlin deserves my time at the weekends.

This year will be tougher too as Tim will be out of action for a while, meaning more stuff falling to me while he's in plaster. A necessary evil to improve his quality of life and well worth 3 months in plaster to help straighten out his foot. Just wonder when the second operation on the other foot will be, usually it's 6 months or so later as the second leg tends to detoriate quicker after one is done, but it does depend on recovery from the first operation and the waiting list of the surgeon. His is very good in the orthopedics field AKA long waiting list, rather the wait than some underling mess it up though CMT foot surgery can be complex.

Gingerbread men

When Caitlin and I went to the gluten-free food fair in York we bought some gingermen cookies that she loved, but I've not found any since. So I bought a fab gingerbread man cutter this week and Tim found a recipe online so we could make some instead. The cutter stamps the face and buttons on when you cut them out, so much easier with an impatient 3 year old. The cutter range has a lovely star and a christmas tree, so many just have to buy another one or two to make christmas biscuits to decorate with Caitlin closer to christmas.

Another card!

This was the card I sent to Anam for her birthday again it's Lily Kate mini monograms and paper, with ribbon and rubon from my stash. You can see I'm sat in the lounge with a small child, I've got a chance to upload odd images I've been meaning to! :)

Christmas decoration

Have been playing with beads and making decorations. This is the first result, the central ball is covered in sparkly glitter, doesn't really show in the photo, but should sparkle in the tree lights. Just need to add a hanging loop.

Best laid plans :(

Hey hum, so much for running errands today. Caitlin is sick today and has been throwing up this morning. The poor lamb is currently curled up under a fleecy blanket beside me fast asleep. But has spent the morning curled up watching Television, reading storys with me or insisting on cuddles, I've been right beside her all morning, so no housework either.

We've been lucky really Caitlin is largely and healthy child who seems to avoid most bugs that do the rounds apart from the chickenpox, which have got her twice, GP said she was so young and had such a mild dose the first time she didn't get enough immunity, fortunately she was smoothered in spots the second time. But coughs and colds largely pass her by or she'll snuffle for a couple of days, but it doesn't slow her down or seem to affect her. So it kind of catches us by surprise when she is sick. I just hope she continues to have such a good immune system as she gets older.

At least I'm home and it wasn't yesterday for my theory test. I suppose it could be worse this is my last week before uni starts, I'm in uni most of next week then I'm on placement for 6 weeks at a local hopital from 8 - 4 Monday to friday, back in uni for a fortnight, then on a second 6 week placement until Christmas. At which point Tim's operation is due. I somehow think that the time between now and christmas is going to fly!

I passed!!!

Took my theory and hazard perception test for driving this morning and passed! I got full marks for the theory and 52/75 for the hazard perception bit that I was most worried about.

So now I can book a practical test when I'm ready. I'm hoping and working towards taking the practical test in October sometime. But in a couple of weeks I'm down to one lesson a week as I can't get a second evening lesson with my instructor.

Made me laugh!

For all wives, finacees and girlfriends of Geeks out there you have to listen to this - The international geek song!
(link courtesy of Rho's blog)

Jewellery again

More jewellery I've managed to photograph while the sun is out. Blue rectangle set is all glass beads. The brown necklace and bracelet are brown coloured shell and tigers eye chips with seed beads between. The aqua shell one has got round opalite gemstone beads. All with sterling silver findings again.

In other news Caitlin and I have started doing some christmas cards while I'm still off university. With the two placements and a provisional date for Tim's operation of 14th December I want to be as organised as possible this year as spare time could well be at a premium closer to Christmas.

Card

I love the new Basic Grey - Lily Kate and the new mini monograms are just gorgeous! This card was one I made for Katy's christening.

Reversing and turn in the road - driving lessons continue!

Had really good lesson today, My instructor took me to a quiet car park to make sure I was happy with reversing and working out where the back of the car was. Then we went back on the roads and practiced reversing in a straight line on the road. He was happy with that, so he decided he would try turn in the roads, so I did some three point turns, didn't hit the curb once and my instructor was really pleased. So next week we're moving onto reversing round corners. I'm even improving round the roundabouts too :)

Good day!

Had my kidney scan today and they both look normal, as does the adrenal gland, so that's really good news. I go back to see the consultant in september for all the other results. But at least both my kidney and heart are ok.

Also met my placement educator for my placement in september, she seems lovely and so does the team there. I'm going to be in intermediate care ward with a mix of patients, some stroke, hip replacements and other orthopedics cases. There is also a rehab department too who are linked, so will be lovely to be on a ward and have patients there for a longer period of time. Most are there for 4-6 weeks, as long as my placement.

Finally a happy birthday to Anam! Hope you have a lovely day!

Jewellery

Been making some more jewellery this week, here's some of them. The blue shell earrings are to go with a necklace and bracelet I made a while ago. The bracelet is garnet chips and fresh water pearls, the other two all are glass beads.

Trains

I think there must be a genetic link somewhere. I got a train set for my third christmas, I'm told it's what my sister and I asked for. Well we got Caitlin a set last christmas and she got a road and rail set for her birthday from us. I've let her play with it in the lounge this week and she's helped me make a track and then has loved running various trains around it. The favourite one is a brio engine that as you push it it lights up, makes steam engine noises and if you press the funnel it whistles!

Some digi LOs

Been a while since I've loaded any images of my digi layouts. So here's a few of them, I've been playing with brushes from spaceraven and Jason Gaylor. These were all part of a precrop challenge for a cybercrop. Some based on movie titles or lines from them and 80s pop songs.

Driving lessons no. 2

Well managed the dizzying speed of 50 mph briefly in today's lesson, but perhaps more importantly managed to keep a decent speed on the main road. Did cross roads and left turns on roundabouts too which was ok. Spent much more of the lesson on the main roads. so felt like I was making progress. Roll on tomorrow where we're doing right turns on roundabouts and dual carriageways. All in all I'm progressing well and gaining confidence according to my instructor.

Each lesson seems like a step closer to more freedom and a little less reliance on Tim. I'm sure he'll enjoy the chance to not always be the driver too. Better get on with my theory this afternoon, especially hazard perception.

What a cutie!

We've been away for the weekend to a christening. Katy is Tim's cousin's daughter whatever that make her, Caitlin's second cousin I think. She's three months old of gorgeous cuteness! Her and her parents are back from New Zealand where they now live to introduce her to the family.

First driving lesson!

Well had first 2 hour lesson today, didn't crash the car, so that's a good start. Did left and right turns in a circuit on a quiet hosuing estate near here. Then drove home via the main road which was a bit scarey, the parked up outside the house, which was ok, fortunately not to many cars parked. My next lesson is on monday, so hopefully I might manage to get over 20 mph next time.

More birthday pictures

Caitlin has gone to bed after her birthday tea and lots of new stories. But here's a few more piccies, snow white costume was from Laura, Jane and Neil. She's got little chocolate muffin cakes this year with her candles on as we couldn't find gluten-free cake mix in time. I've got some coming tomorrow though, so she'll have one on saturday when she gets the rest of her presents that need some assembling. Plus pictures with mummy and Daddy.

Happy 3rd Birthday Caitlin!

My little girl is growing so fast! I'm not allowed to call her my little girl or baby any more she tell me 'I'm a big girl now mummy!' But I think she'll still be my little girl when she's grown up and left home, lol!

Here's pictures of her each birthday from the day she was born and looked like she done 10 round with Mike Tyson (was actually the emergency forceps delivery) to today's picture of her in her new cowgirl dressing up outfit that she grudgingly let me take pictures of before going off for a canter round the garden.

Caitlin and Laura

Just the one picture I've sorted from the weekend so far. This is Caitlin and her cousin Laura on a stone elephant in the play ground at whipsnade wild animal park. Don't they look similar? When they were walking hand in hand at one point they looked more like twins than cousins. It so good to see Laura has almost caught up Caitlin now, she was a head shorter last year. With just 13 days between them it's so interesting watching them both develop and grow, seeing the differences while at the same time not being competitive or destructive about who's doing what first.

They both had a fab day, Caitlin was fascinated by the sealion show and we were lucky enough to see their baby elephants on their daily walk too.

1966

Tim's parents got married in 1966 on 'that' day when England won the world cup. Any how 40 years later it's their ruby wedding anniversary, so here's the book about 1966 that I made for their anniversary. It's an accordian book with gated cover, although you can't see that very well from these pictures. I should add every one of these images is originally from 1966.